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Wheat research increasing production; funding critical

A small grains breeder at the University of Illinois says new studies show investment into wheat research is paying off.

Dr. Jessica Rutkoski says modern wheat varieties are improving.

“We’re every year getting better and better and through our breeding efforts the yield has been improving within our program by half a bushel per acre per year.”  She says, “Maturity timing has not been increased.”

She tells Brownfield it means farmers can grow more with less, but the advancements wouldn’t be possible without reliable funding.

“I would say equally important to just the amount is the longevity and the stability of it, because we’re talking about research and breeding that you need many years to make progress,” she says.

Rutkoski says the U of I program, which is funded through a mix of grants, gifts, and federal funding, is also working to improve traits like disease resistance, test weight, standability, and early maturity in several wheat varieties.

AUDIO: Dr. Jessica Rutkoski – University of Illinois