Louisiana Wheat Breeding Program Receives Critical Support From Growers

The Louisiana Soybean & Grain Report

LSU AgCenter Extension Service wheat breeder Dr. Steve Harrison appeared before the Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board earlier this month as he does most years about this time.

“The Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board has been very good about supporting the wheat breeding projects since there first year that the wheat check-off was passed,” said Harrison. “So every year we come and present results from last year’s research and proposals for the following year.”

Harrison told the board 2017 was a little bit of a challenging year.

“Baton Rouge was very wet and we had difficulty getting quite a few of our trials in  and out and establishing good stands.  But on the other hand, Winnsboro is kind of our wheat station north.  We do a lot of work up there and it was a great year at Winnsboro.”

There were quite a few new initiatives this past growing season.

“We made the most new wheat hybridizations we’ve ever made,” said Harrison, “probably 475 last year which starts a new 8 to 10 year variety development cycle every time you make a cross.  So it was a very good year.”