Next Commission Meeting to Feature Research Results; Farmers/Industry Encouraged to Attend
The California Wheat Commission will convene its next meeting at the UCCE office in Tulare on December 5. UC farm advisors and specialists engaged in Commission-funded research will present the latest findings related to nitrogen management, weed control, irrigation and other wheat-related issues. UC wheat breeder Jorge Dubcovsky will discuss developments and accomplishments coming out of his program and Phil Mayo will discuss regional trials.
The Commission's top priority is to fund research into new and improved wheat varieties. For the past three years, the Commission has awarded competitive grants to UCCE researchers to stimulate additional agronomic research. All interested members of the wheat industry are invited to attend.
CWC/UCCE Wheat Research Update December 5th; Noon-5pm (Including Lunch) UCCE Office 4437B S. Laspina Street, Tulare, CA 93274 (559) 684-3315 RSVP: info@californiawheat.org
For a complete list of research topics funded and results through the current crop year, see the Wheat Research page on the Commission's website.
Collaborator Meeting Draws National Wheat Leaders to UC Davis to Consider New Varieties
Organized jointly by the California Grain Foundation and UC Davis Department of Plant Science, the Collaborator Program invites public and private breeders to submit their new varieties for evaluation. The common wheat and durum varieties are planted in special nurseries in three locations around the state and grown under specified conditions. Once harvested the wheat is sent to quality labs at major mills around the country (and to the Commission's lab) for milling and baking quality testing.
On October 17, more than 90 participants representing the entire wheat value chain gathered to discuss current issues and the quality evaluations. Breeders find this process to be very useful in deciding whether to release a new wheat variety in California. Growers and millers get an early look at what is in the pipeline. This year, the meeting ended with a very special pairing of artisan baked goods and wheat beer, led by the inimitable Charlie Bamforth, brewing master at UCD.
We invite comments from participants and many found this meeting to be the most useful Collaborator Meeting ever. The 2014 trials will be planted soon; we look forward to another good meeting next October UC Variety Trial Data Available
Growers, if you are still deciding on varieties, check out the UC regional trial results: http://smallgrains.ucdavis.edu/ The regional trials are conducted with the support of the California Wheat Commission to provide annual yield and quality information on varieties in several different regions. Growers are encouraged to look at this data prior to making their fall planting decisions. The data is summarized and published in the Commission's annual Certified Seed Buyers' Guide, available now on our website.
CA Wheat Crop Quality Reports Available
The Commission's lab completed its annual crop quality testing in September and published the reports in late October. These reports are used by customers around the world to evaluate the quality of the current crop. The Hard Red/Hard White Report is available in English and Spanish. The Desert Durum Report is published in English, Spanish and Italian. All can be found on the website or by request from the Commission office.
California's quality data is also included in the national wheat quality report published by US Wheat Associates.
