From unpredictable weather patterns to evolving pests, diseases and market pressures, producers across the state are facing constant challenges. Recognizing the need for innovative varieties and profitable practices, Texas wheat farmers directly influence emerging technologies through investment in the statewide wheat assessment. Those funds, overseen by the Texas Wheat Producers Board, investigate issues such as combating Hessian fly, improving drought tolerance and enhancing end-use quality. Research outcomes are designed to contribute to the long-term success of wheat production in Texas and provide solutions for farmers’ biggest obstacles.
Every dollar invested comes straight from producers and is overseen by 15 elected farmers serving on the board, meaning the priorities reflect real farm-level needs, not impractical theories. During the 2025 growing season, the board approved and provided oversight for more than $344,000 in research funding. A key driver of the research portfolio is the ongoing Texas A&M AgriLife wheat breeding and genetics work that seeks to enhance yields, disease and pest resistance and overall varietal performance. The board requires researchers to submit semiannual reports on their projects to ensure producer funds are promoting beneficial and applicable results that deliver real returns to growers.
“It’s not just research for the sake of research,” said Jody Bellah, chairman of the research committee, “We expect results that farmers can put to use in their fields to improve their operation.”
Uniform Variety Trials
Uniform Variety Trials continue to provide producers with valuable data needed to make informed varietal and agronomic decisions for their operations. Although the growing season was less than optimal in some regions, high yields were recorded in a number of trials, including record-setting site averages in Bushland, Olton and Plainview. The Plainview Irrigated trial had the second highest trial average ever recorded in the state. In addition to the actual variety trials, producer investment supports AgriLife Extension efforts to disperse important regional results and findings to farmers across the state. Throughout the year, trial data was presented at 18 field days or grower meetings totaling around 611 participants. For the 2026 growing season, 29 Hard Red Winter, 8 Soft Red Winter, 6 Hard Red Spring and 6 dual-purpose variety trials are planned.
Integrated Pest Management
Pest pressure remains a constant challenge producers face that negatively impacts crop performance. Investigating new ways to combat Hessian fly infestations is a major concern for producers, specifically in the Blacklands and Central Texas regions. Recognizing this need, the board continues to fund projects to better understand and provide real world recommendations to manage Hessian fly. Projects funded in this cycle discovered planting date impacted both Hessian fly infestation and grain yields over the past three years, with later planting dates having higher grain yield and lower Hessian fly infestation. Researchers concluded delayed planting in early November combined with selecting an adapted Hessian fly resistant cultivar were the most successful tools to combat this pest. Varietal information regarding Hessian fly ratings can be found in the 2025 Texas Wheat Variety Guide featured at www.texaswheat.org.
Wheat Breeding
Breeding better wheat remains one of the most powerful tools farmers have to stay competitive. The careful selection of genetic traits in new breeding lines can combat a variety of issues from drought tolerance to disease and pest resistance. Wheat breeding research funded by producer investment has led to the development of some of the most widely adopted varieties in the state. Today, new focus areas include integrated genes for biological nitrification inhibition which will allow for more efficient use of Nitrogen, and increased grain fiber to improve the health benefits of wheat consumption. Throughout this last research cycle, six new breeding lines were evaluated across Texas and the Great Plains, resulting in two SRW release candidates. Additionally, approximately 1,000 samples from various wheat breeding programs were analyzed on predictors of insect and disease resistance, end-use quality and other key traits.
“We can’t control a lot of things, but we can plant better wheat varieties,” said Landon Friemel, member of the research committee, “By funding wheat breeding research, we’re making sure we’re equipped with the varieties and genetic diversity we need to be successful.”
Through their investment in the statewide assessment, Texas farmers play a key role in maintaining the competitiveness of Texas wheat in national and global markets. The projects funded today provide producers with the resources, knowledge and varieties necessary to meet the evolving needs and challenges of their operations.
