First Look: Larger Hard Red Winter Wheat Crop Offers More Consistent Quality

Continuous varietal improvement and improved growing conditions following a multiple year drought helped Central and Southern Plains farmers produce a more familiar, well-balanced hard red winter (HRW) wheat crop for 2024. A wider range of conditions in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) HRW crop encouraged higher yields with lower, but highly functional, protein levels. Both supplies meet or exceed typical HRW contract specifications and should provide high value to customers.

U.S. farmers planted an estimated 24.1 million acres (9.8 million hectares) in fall 2023, marking a 4% increase over the previous year. USDA estimates total production of 21.0 MMT. That is up 28% from last year and contributed to the largest crop of all U.S. wheat classes in eight growing seasons. Here are the initial details and information about California's HRW crop that USW will share with importing customers in the 2024 U.S. Wheat Crop Quality Report and Seminars. Plains Grains will offer even more local information soon.

2024 HRW Highlights

Average Grade for both the Gulf-exportable and PNW-exportable crops is U.S. No. 1 HRW. This indicates that both crops meet the highest quality standards for hard red winter wheat.

Test Weight for the Gulf-exportable crop is higher than last year and the 5-year average, indicating a sound crop. For the PNW-exportable crop, the test weight is significantly higher than last year, reflecting dense and heavy kernels.

Wheat Moisture levels for both the Gulf and PNW crops are lower than last year, which is a result of drier harvest conditions.

Wheat Protein (12% mb) content for the Gulf-exportable crop is lower compared to last year and the 5-year average, which is due to less stress and higher yields. The PNW-exportable crop also has slightly lower protein content compared to last year.

1000 Kernel Weight for the Gulf-exportable crop is lower than last year and the 5-year average, reflecting smaller kernels due to early season dryness. In contrast, the PNW-exportable crop has a higher 1000 kernel weight than last year and the 5-year average.

Kernel Characteristics: The Gulf-exportable crop has slightly smaller kernels due to early season dryness but higher test weights due to ideal conditions during grain filling. The PNW crop has slightly softer, heavier, and larger kernels compared to last year and the 5-year average.

Wheat Falling Number for the Gulf-exportable crop is notably higher than last year and the 5-year average, indicating a sound crop. For the PNW-exportable crop, the falling number is lower than last year and the 5-year average but still well above industry standards.

Tandem Laboratory Mill average for the Gulf-exportable crop is lower than last year, which should result in better extractions for commercial mills. The PNW-exportable crop also has a lower tandem laboratory mill average than last year, due to humidity levels and moisture loss at milling.

Farinograph Values for the Gulf-exportable crop indicate a similar peak time, slightly longer stability, and similar absorption compared to last year. The PNW-exportable crop has similar peak time, slightly shorter stability, and similar absorption compared to last year.

Extensograph Values for both the Gulf and PNW crops indicate similar or greater extensibility compared to last year, suggesting a more balanced gluten profile.

Dough Properties for both the Gulf and PNW crops demonstrate typical dough mixing properties and water absorptions with more balanced gluten properties that are adjustable with formula or blend modifications.

Loaf Volume and Bake Absorption values for both the Gulf and PNW crops are lower than previous high protein years but are appropriate for this year's protein content.

California Report

The majority of California's 2024 HRW crop has medium protein. Consistent with other years, the crop has low moisture, high flour extraction and strong baking performance - all of which make California wheat suitable for blending. The overall grade sample average for the 2024 HRW harvest survey is U.S. No. 1 HRW.

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