This change in focus culminated in 1998 when the program was almost totally directed toward the development of hard white winter wheats. This change has been implemented in an effort to increase world demand for Kansas wheat. The world markets prefer white wheat and only purchase red wheat if white is not available or red wheat price is discounted significantly. Within the next few years, hard white winter wheat varieties capable of performing equal to or better than the currently grown hard red varieties will be available to Kansas producers. Breeding objectives for white wheats adapted to western Kansas include the development of white seeded varieties that have excellent bread baking characteristics as well as excellent noodle making characteristics.
Noodle quality is very important to gaining market share in Asia.
Control of major pests through host resistance is also a high priority. Resistance to wheat streak mosaic, leaf rust, Hessian fly, and Russian wheat aphid top the objective list. Humbly, yet proudly. It would reflect Joe Martin, the man who for 25 years has given it life. Read the article wrote by Pat Melgares, KSU News Coordinator .