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Stability of wheat blends supported by researchBy Doug Rich Research supports the theory that blended wheat varieties can reduce risk over the selection of a single pure variety. Kansas State University (KSU) Research and Extension studied the performance of wheat variety blends in Kansas from 1994 to 1997. Blends adapted to different regions were grown at locations across the state. The study was entitled, Performance of Wheat Variety Blends in Kansas, and was published in March 2001. This research identified the following advantages for planting wheat variety blends as stabilization of yields; compensation effect--a strong variety can compensate for a weak or injured variety with bigger heads and more tillers and a reduction in disease or pest pressure. The main disadvantage for most producers would be the time and equipment needed to mix the varieties. Although many seed houses are now marketing their own blends. Two other disadvantages are the chance to manage varieties separately and variety incompatibility. This research project determined that blended did have more stable yields than pure varieties. "Yield stability may help avoid the hardship experienced when a "race horse" variety stumbles," the report stated. The blends in this study, on average, had a yield advantage of less than one bushel per acre over their component varieties. Test weights were about equal when blends and their component varieties were compared. More recently Christina Cowger, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) plant pathologist, began researching wheat variety blends in North Carolina. Cowger developed 13 blends from eight pure varieties for her study in 2005 and 2006. In her research the blends out-yielded the pure varieties by an average of 2.3 bushels per acre. Test weights and quality traits were the same for blends and pure varieties. These results showed that blends can be useful in stabilizing yields in diverse planting environments. This research is part of Plant Genetic Resources, Genomics, and Genetic Improvement, an ARS National Program. A KSU research project completed in 2006 took a unique look at the selection of wheat varieties for blends. The study, entitled, Kansas Wheat Variety Selection: Combining Economics and Agronomy to Maximize Profits and Minimize Risk, was presented at the 2006 Risk and Profit Conference. The study used portfolio theory from business investment analysis to find the optimal combination of wheat varieties in Kansas. According to the results of this study, variety portfolios can enhance profits and lower yield risk for wheat producers in Kansas. These portfolios took advantage of differences in how wheat varieties perform in various growing conditions. The report stated that by selecting an optimal portfolio, Kansas wheat producers could have increased yields by 8.81 bushels per acre in eastern Kansas, 4.28 bushels per acre in central Kansas, and 6.29 bushels per acre in western Kansas. The increased yield would have added over $137 million to producers revenues. These results were based on 1996 wheat variety data. Doug Rich can be reached by phone at 785-749-5304 or by e-mail at richhpj@aol.com. 9/17/07
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