Consequently, KAES wheat breeders received preferential service. But the USDA lab is no longer on campus and other public and private wheat breeding organizations have demanded more service. In addition, a primary responsibility of the USDA lab is to conduct fundamental research to develop more efficient testing procedures for all wheat breeding organizations. Because of industry concerns regarding declining protein content in the 1970's, the KAES established a rapid protein screening program in 1977. NIR hardness tests were added for samples harvested in 1989.
Breeders receive data before fall seeding.
Since that time, all wheat varieties by KAES have had protein contents equal or superior to cv. The screening project is the perennial subject of a separate proposal and desperately needs funding. The Dept. of Grain Science and KAES began equipping a milling and baking laboratory for KAES wheat breeders in 199 1. A completely equipped laboratory is located in Rm. 3208 of the Merrill Hall wing of Throckmorton Plant Science Center.