The annual Wheat Quality Council hard spring Wheat and durum evaluation tour will be conducted on July 25 to 28, 2005. This tour covers all of North Dakota plus parts of Minnesota and South Dakota.

The tour anticipates nine to 10 cars with four people each traveling the state of North Dakota on eight different routes to scout spring Wheat and durum crop conditions. Participants will look for diseases, pests, moisture conditions and any other factors that could have an influence on yield or crop quality. They will also make a yield estimate based on a formula provided by North Dakota State University. The Wheat Quality Council has spring Wheat and durum estimate records from 1992.

They do not make any claim about being official in any way, as that is left to Agricultural Statistics. However, the Wheat Quality Council has been within 3 bushels per acre of the North Dakota Agricultural Statistics August estimate since 1998.

This tour is an excellent way for new industry people to learn a great deal about the Wheat industry in a span of three days. Each car will have at least one rider with years of experience who can help the newcomers. Agronomists and Extension agents usually travel on the tour, as well. They can help answer any technical questions during the evening reports when the whole group meets together.

Riders will rotate in the cars each day so each participant gets a chance to develop a network of people to keep in contact with over the years.

Registration forms and other information on the tour can be found on the Wheat Quality Council website at www.wheatqualitycouncil.org or by contacting Ben Handcock at 605-224-5187.

Date: 7/20/05