Grainnet

Bismarck, ND--Quality reports on the 2007 U.S. hard red spring wheat and northern grown durum crops are now available through the North Dakota Wheat Commission.

The reports detail physical attributes and milling performance plus dough mixing and bread baking properties for the spring wheat crop and pasta processing traits for the durum crop.

"The annual quality surveys are an important tool used by the North Dakota Wheat Commission in marketing the state's spring wheat and durum to customers worldwide," explains Marketing Director Jim Peterson.

The reports are being distributed to hundreds of buyers whose purchasing strategies take into account geographical origins known to be associated with a preferable mix of wheat varieties which best meet their end-use product needs.

Crop Quality Summary

The reports are based on harvest samples collected by the North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service and tested by the North Dakota State University Plant Sciences quality laboratories.

Spring wheat samples are gathered from North Dakota, Montana, South Dakota and Minnesota, representing 93 percent of the nation's spring wheat production.

Durum samples are collected from North Dakota and Montana, covering 77% of the nation's durum production in 2007.

Traits that buyers will appreciate in the hard red spring crop include a regional top average grade of No. 1 Dark Northern Spring with a low level of damaged kernels, high protein content at 14.2%, higher than average test weight of 61.1 pounds, low moisture and high falling numbers.

For end-use performance, the crop is showing strong dough mixing properties but slightly lower absorption and loaf volumes compared to 2006's exceptional crop.

Baked bread properties remain very high with the 2007 crop.

USDA projects 12 percent higher exports, 280 million bushels versus 250 million. Current sales are already at 218 million bushels, up 70% from a year ago with sizeable year-to-year gains in Europe and Central America, along with stable demand in Asia.

Domestic use is projected down about six percent, 231 million versus 247 million due to a larger U.S. hard red winter crop.

The regional durum crop average grade is No. 2 Hard Amber Durum, average test weight of 59.9 was just short of the 60 pounds needed for grade No. 1.

However, more than one-half the crop still grades No. 1 Hard Amber Durum.

The crop has strong average vitreous kernel counts, low damaged kernels and exceptionally high protein.

The high grading crop with good kernel soundness is producing pasta with very high color but is somewhat weaker in semolina mixing properties compared to 2006.

USDA projects demand for durum in the U.S. market at 79 million bushels, similar to last year.

Exports are expected to fall to 30 million bushels compared to 35 million in 2006.

Contradicting the projection, current sales as of October 11 are at 32 million, nearly double the level of a year ago.

Strong sales worldwide, but primarily to Europe due to quality shortfalls in their crop, are driving the higher export pace.

More Information

The 2007 hard red spring and durum wheat crop quality reports are posted on the North Dakota Wheat Commission's web site or are available in hard copy upon request at 701-328-5111 or by email.

Please include mailing address in email.

Funding and support for the U.S. hard red spring and durum regional quality surveys is provided by U.S. Wheat Associates, the North Dakota Wheat Commission, Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council, Montana Wheat and Barley Committee, and South Dakota Wheat Commission.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• North Dakota Wheat Commission

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