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Alternate Wheats
In the dryland small-grain producing areas of eastern Washington,
alternate crops, such as safflower, corn, mustard, sunflowers and
flax, are often thought of as non-traditional crops for the region.
However, alternate, non-traditional crops may be any crop other
than soft white and white club wheats, either winter or spring types,
which are normally produced in the region.
Alternate
wheat types which fall into this category, and which have shown
potential for the region, include hard white spring wheat, dark
northern spring wheat and durum. The advantage of alternate types
of wheats is that they can be produced using the equipment already
in use to produce the soft white and white club wheats.
PRODUCTION
INFORMATION
DARK NORTHERN
SPRING
WHEAT
Dark Northern
Spring wheat is a market subclass of Hard Red Spring Wheat, which,
in turn, is one of eight market classes of wheat. There are three
market subclasses of Hard Red Spring Wheat. To qualify as DNS, the
grading standards require 75% hard, dark vitreous (HDV) kernels.
Compared to
producing hard white spring wheat, the risk factors are higher for
producing dark northern spring wheat. The yields for hard white
spring wheat tend to be slightly higher than for dark northern spring.
The DNS price can be higher, but input costs in the form of seed
and fertilizer, are also higher. Over the past 20 years, prices
have mostly averaged higher than for soft white wheat, and at times
this difference has been fairly substantial – as much as $2 per
bushel.
DNS producers
are subject to both premiums and discounts when selling their crop,
and these can be quite volatile. In general, any DNS with a protein
level below 13% may be subject to a discount, while a premium will
be paid for protein levels above 15%.
On September
14, 1999, the market price for DNS at 14% was $3.67/bushel. The
premium for protein was 7 cents for each ¼% protein above 14%. The
discount was 12 cents a bushel for each ¼% protein below 14%. On
the same day, the market price for soft white was $2.89.
Fertility tests
conducted at Pullman in 1998 investigated three types of fertilizer
applications – fall, spring and split. These trials evaluated nitrogen
fertility rates of 40, 80, 120 and 160 pounds per acre. Protein
levels were significantly different for the fall and split fertilizer
applications compared to the spring fertilizer application. However,
the timing of the application did not significantly affect grain
yield. In general, the fall and split fertilizer applications, under
the different application rates, resulted in about 1% more protein
than did the spring fertilizer application.
On the other
hand, WSU extension researcher Aaron Esser conducted on-farm tests
in 1999 that compared returns from different fertilizer treatments
using three DNS varieties and one SWSW variety. In these, the spring
fertilizer application produced higher protein levels than did the
fall and split fertilizer applications for the DNS. However, in
these trails the higher yields from the soft white wheat produced
a greater economic return than did any of the DNS treatments.
The trial at
Pullman found that a protein level of 12% required 3.1 pounds of
N/bushel of grain produced. For 14% protein, the requirement was
3.6 lbs. of N, and for 16%, the requirement was 4.2 lbs. of N. This
can be compared to a requirement of 2.3 lbs. of N per bushel of
grain for soft white spring wheat in a precipitation zone of less
than 21 inches annually, or 2.4 lbs. of N when precipitation is
above 21 inches annual. An on-farm test near Wilbur required 4.4
to 5.0 lbs N/bushel available to obtain desired protein levels and
was more economical than 3.8 lbs N/bushel available.
There is some
conjecture that DNS requires higher levels of sulfur than does soft
white wheat. Trials conducted at Ralston found no significant differences
in yield, protein levels or test weight. However, the trends were
toward higher yield, protein and test weights with the additional
S. This research will be repeated.
When it comes
to producing dark northern spring wheat, researchers conclude that
producers must make sure their anticipated price for DNS will justify
the potential yield loss compared to soft white, as well as the
additional costs of the inputs. They summarize that it is hard to
beat yield when producing these wheats. Economic analyses indicate
varieties with higher yields will produce higher net returns than
those with low yields, even if protein is lower in the higher-yielding
varieties.
There is also
strong evidence that an untimely rain before harvest will reduce
protein content at harvest time. In one trial, a field of DNS surrounding
a test plot produced protein at 14.2%, but the protein level for
the test plot was significantly lower when harvested two to three
weeks later after receiving an inch of rain.
MARKETING
DARK NORTHERN
SPRING
The United
States produces about 30.9 million acres of hard red spring wheat,
9 million acres of soft red winter wheat, 4.5 million acres of soft
white wheat, both winter and spring types, and 14 million acres
of hard red spring wheats. In the Pacific Northwest, red wheats
were the first types grown. Because of quality problems with yellow
berries which reduced the percentage of DHV kernels, production
switched over to the white wheats grown today.
The three market
subclasses for red spring wheat are dark northern spring wheat which
contains 75% or more DHV, northern spring wheat which contains between
25 and 75% DHV, and red spring wheat which contains less than 25%
DHV.
Discount schedules
will also be applied to dockage and percent DHV. Dockage will be
3 cents each for each ½% from 1.1% to 3%, and 5 cents each for each
½% over 3%. The discount for DHV will be a loss of 3 cents a bushel
for DHV between 50% and 75%, 6 cents a bushel for DHV between 25%
and 50%, and 9 cents a bushel for DHV of 25% or less. Premiums and
discounts are figured at the time the grain is either marketed or
delivered.
There is a
profit potential for producing DNS. At the time the Portland price
for soft white was $2.98 per bushel, the DNS price was $3.97. Historically,
according to Howard Nelson of the Central Washington Grain Growers,
the average price premium for DNS has been 98.31 cents over soft
white at Portland. The minimum price premium has been 16 cents per
bushel, and the maximum price premium has been $2.52 per bushel.
There are also
price risks associated with not making 13 to 14% protein. These
risks should be assessed according to a grower’s past history of
producing DNS, as well as potential price for feed compared to the
discounted price.
There are storage
and handling factors to consider for DNS. If using commercial storage,
there is no segregation by protein and all classes are co-mingled.
When shipping, DNS should be shipped by quality factors to limit
discounts. This generally means shipping in truckload or railcar-load
quantities.
In summary,
Nelson says growers should consider producing DNS if they have been
successful in the past at making 14% protein. He advises that they
should not skimp on inputs because failure to make 13% will be costly.
Also, if they do grow DNS and do not make 12% protein, they should
consider alternative markets, such as the feed market or taking
a market loan on the crop.
GROWER
EXPERIENCES
GARY GABREATH
– Dark Northern Spring
The Galbreaths
have grown DNS for nine years, always on a re-crop basis. They have
grown Butte 86 and Kulm in the past and are now growing Spillman.
They started growing DNS primarily because of the price advantage.
Galbreath
said he is still searching for the magic formula to ensure protein.
They apply N at a rate of 3.7 lbs. per projected bushel of yield
and use a 3:1 N to S ratio.
They did make
protein last year at 15.1%, and Galbreath thinks the real dry growing
period may have been a factor in accomplishing this. They have had
mixed results on protein over the years.
In 1997, he
said, they grew mustard and followed it with DNS. The protein levels
were good.
He thinks fertilizer
placement can affect protein levels. They use a Yielded no-till
drill which places the fertilizer accurately, and they put all the
N on with the drill. They fertilized for a 35-bushel crop. Compared
to the DNS, Galbreath said their white wheat yields were about 7
bushels higher. Their DNS yields have been average or slightly above
with good protein.
Galbreath said
they use a seeding rate of 10 to 20 pounds per acre higher than
they use for white wheat.
He said they
will have DNS next year. They will stick to the 3.7 lbs. of N fertilizer
rate and the 3:1 N to S ratio. They do not fall fertilize.
Cooperating
Agencies: Washington State University Cooperative Extension, United
States Department of Agriculture, Eastern Washington Counties. Cooperative
Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.
Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Cooperative
Extension office.
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