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In its first detailed report on U.S. wheat quality in 2024, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) on their website reported that, after some challenging conditions, farmers who grew soft red winter (SRW) wheat produced another high-quality crop for domestic and overseas customers. In addition, USW said farmers in the Central and Southern Plains produced a "more familiar, well-balanced" hard red winter (HRW) wheat crop for 2024.

SOFT RED WINTER WHEAT

The protein content of soft red winter wheat is comparatively lower than the hard red varieties of wheat and, for that reason, bakers who want pan bread and soft pastries choose it. It is also used for crackers and biscuits. U.S. Flour said, "Soft red winter wheat is used to make cereals and pasta when in a more coarsely ground form."

USW reported, "SRW planting started in mid-September 2023 and stayed mostly on a normal pace. USDA estimates seeded area at a total of 6.14 million acres (2.48 million hectares). That is down 24% compared to the 2023 crop but up 4% over the 5-year average.

"Warm, wet conditions prevailed across the eastern U.S. through the winter and into the spring. Even with pockets of adverse weather, there was limited disease pressure. After harvest started in mid-May, wet weather followed into early June until heat and dryness set in to speed up harvest. There were some rain delays at harvest in areas feeding into the Gulf export tributaries."

USW added, "With lower seeded-area buffered by good growing conditions, farmers produced just under 342 million bushels (mb) or 9.3 million metric tons (mmt) of soft red winter wheat and beat the 9.0 mmt five-year average."

The overall grade sample average for the 2024 SRW harvest survey of 11 growing states and 72% of the SRW production represented, is U.S. No. 2 SRW. Test weight was the culprit for the No. 2 grade, coming in at 59.1 pounds versus last year at 60.3 pounds. Test weight averages trended lower this year and likely reflected mid-season heat and dryness.

Wheat protein (12% moisture base) averages are higher at 9.7% compared to last year's crop at 9.3%. The higher SRW protein is a factor of the expanding drought during the growing season.

USW said, "The wheat falling number average for the East Coast is notably higher than last year and five-year average due to better harvest conditions. The Gulf average is lower than last year but in line with the five-year average, reflecting isolated wet weather during harvest. This year's overall average soft red winter wheat falling number of 326 seconds indicates a sound crop."

The 2024 SRW wheat crop showed vomitoxin (DON) averages higher than last year, but still below the USDA threshold of 2.0 ppm, indicating the sampled crop is relatively free of DON. Here is the report: https://www.uswheat.org/…

HARD RED WINTER WHEAT

The most widely cultivated type of wheat in the U.S. is hard red winter wheat. Most of it is cultivated in the Midwest Plains states and just like every other winter wheat, hard red winter wheat is planted in the fall. It is ideal for winter wheat crops to grow up to 2 inches ahead of dormancy for the winter season.

USW noted, "With excellent milling and baking characteristics for pan breads, hard rolls, croissants and flat breads, U.S. HRW is also an ideal choice for some types of Asian noodles, general purpose flour, and as an improver for blending. It has medium to high protein, medium hard endosperm, red bran, medium gluten content and mellow gluten."

Average Grade for both the Gulf-exportable and PNW-exportable crops is U.S. No. 1 HRW. This indicates both crops meet the highest quality standards for hard red winter wheat, noted USW in their final harvest report for the year.

"Test Weight for the Gulf-exportable crop is higher than last year and the five-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," said USW. 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% moisture base) content for the Gulf-exportable crop is lower compared to last year and the five-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." https://www.uswheat.org/…

USW said they will share the crop information with importing customers in the 2024 U.S. Wheat Crop Quality Report and Seminars. Plains Grains (https://www.plainsgrains.org/… ) will offer even more local information soon.

HRW and SRW wheats compared: https://usflour.com/…

Explanation of different uses of the six classes of US wheat: https://kswheat.com/…

Mary Kennedy can be reached at Mary.Kennedy@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @MaryCKenn

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