Hard Red Winter Wheat

Selection of Varieties

At a Glance

Since inception of the CSU Wheat Breeding Program in 1963, over 40 improved wheat varieties have been developed and released by our program. Over the years, CSU wheat variety releases have provided continuous improvements in grain yield and yield stability, disease and insect resistance, and end-use quality. Producers in Colorado continue to see advantages in growing CSU varieties, as demonstrated by the 2016 wheat variety survey showing that nearly 70% of the Colorado wheat acreage is planted to CSU-developed wheat varieties.

Since 1994, all varieties from our program have been released through a unique partnership between CSU, the Colorado Seed Growers Association (CSGA), and the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation (CWRF). Under this agreement, ownership and marketing rights to the varieties are transferred to the CWRF who works with CSGA member growers to produce and distribute registered and certified seed. Since 2012, CWRF varieties are marketed under the PlainsGold Brand.

Breeder

Esten Mason, Wheat Breeder and Project Leader

Colorado State University:

Overview

Hard Red Winter Wheat Varieties

Guardian

Pedigree: Antero/Snowmass//Byrd
Plant Variety Protection: Yes
PlainsGold Variety Info & Contact
Ref. No.: 2019-111

Description:

Released in 2019, Guardian is the first in its class to deliver superior resistance to wheat viruses
Carries leading resistance to all three predominant rusts (Stripe, Leaf, and Stem).
Certified Seed Only, no saved seed allowed.
Cultivar Tech Sheet

Fortify SF (Sawfly)

Pedigree: Byrd/Bearpaw//Byrd
Plant Variety Protection: Yes
PlainsGold Variety Info & Contact
Ref. No.: 2019-113

Description:

Released in 2019, Fortify SF (Sawfly) is the first Colorado-bred semi-solid wheat to combat the wheat stem sawfly in the central high plains
Provides a thickened stem, which slows the feeding and internal migration of the wheat stem sawfly larvae to the crown of the plant where it girdles the stem before harvest.
Certified Seed Only, no saved seed allowed.
Cultivar Tech Sheet

Whistler

Pedigree: CO08W218/Snowmass//Byrd
Plant Variety Protection: Yes
PlainsGold Variety Info & Contact
Ref. No.: 18-103

Description:

Released in 2018, Whistler is an attractive, late-maturing variety with taller stature, reflecting its Snowmass//Byrd parentage.
Proven exceptional against powdery mildew, stripe and stem rust populations in the central plains, while maintaining solid resistance to WSMV and SBMV.
Good variety to consider in a diversified strategy of planting in the fall.
Cultivar Tech Sheet

Canvas

Pedigree: Denali/Antero//Byrd
Plant Variety Protection: Yes
PlainsGold Variety Info & Contact
Ref. No.: 18-100

Description:

Released in 2018, Canvas provides strong dryland and leading high moisture performance in agronomics and yield.
Stripe and stem rust resistance is excellent with good resistance to WSMV & SBMV.
Stands well under high fertility and moisture, making it a good candidate for intensive management.
Cultivar Tech Sheet

Langin

Pedigree: CO050270/Byrd
Plant Variety Protection: Yes
PlainsGold Variety Info & Contact
Ref. No.: 17-015

Description:

Released in 2016, Langin is an early maturing, medium short variety with very high yield potential and excellent baking quality.
Stripe rust resistance and acid soil tolerance are very good and winterhardiness is excellent.
Shown strong adaptation across the High Plains.
Cultivar Tech Sheet

Avery

Pedigree: TAM112/Byrd
Plant Variety Protection: Yes
PlainsGold Variety Info & Contact
Ref. No.: 16-019

Description:

Avery was released in 2015
Similar to Byrd in drought tolerance and other agronomic characteristics, with slightly later maturity, larger kernel size, and improved straw strength.
Proven yield across a wide geography, from Texas to South Dakota.
From its parentage, Avery withstands WSMV pressure through wheat curl mite resistance
Cultivar Tech Sheet

Byrd

Pedigree: TAM 112/CO970547-7
Plant Variety Protection: Yes
PlainsGold Variety Info & Contact
Ref. No.: 12-028

Description:

Released in 2011, Byrd is still the most widely planted variety in Colorado.
Among the yield leaders, showing consistent performance under drought stress or high moisture conditions.
Byrd established the use of the wheat curl mite resistance gene in the PlainsGold lineup, providing effective resistance to viral infections, including WSMV.
Cultivar Tech Sheet

Hard Red Winter Wheat – Herbicide Resistant Varieties

Kivari AX

Pedigree: (AF28/Byrd)//(AF10/2*Byrd)
Plant Variety Protection: Yes
PlainsGold Variety Info & Contact
Ref. No.: 2021-012

Description:

Released in 2020, Kivari AX is the newest CoAXium® variety in the PlainsGold linup with slightly later maturity compared to Crescent AX, and improved spring frost tolerance.
Offers improved yield performance with excellent drought tolerance
Demonstrated good test weight, wheat curl mite resistance, but weaker straw in high moisture environments.
Recommended to be planted on dryland acres of the central high plains only.
Certified Seed Only, no saved seed allowed.
Stewardship Agreement required.
Cultivar Tech Sheet

Byrd CL Plus

Pedigree: Byrd/Bearpaw//Byrd
Plant Variety Protection: Yes
PlainsGold Variety Info & Contact
Ref. No.: 18-108

Description:

Released in 2018, Byrd CL Plus is a two-gene Clearfield® version of Byrd
Agronomical benefits include drought stress tolerance, yield responsiveness to moisture; it is slightly taller than Byrd, with better straw strength.
Certified Seed Only, no saved seed allowed.
Cultivar Tech Sheet

Crescent AX

Pedigree: AF28/Byrd//AF10/2*Byrd
Plant Variety Protection: Yes
PlainsGold Variety Info & Contact
Ref. No.: 18-104

Description:

Released in 2018, Crescent AX is one of the CoAXium® varieties in the PlainsGold lineup with a solid agronomic package and excellent tolerance to Aggressor herbicide.
Has medium-early maturity, very good test weight, wheat curl mite resistance, and very good end-use quality.
Certified Seed Only, no saved seed allowed.
Cultivar Tech Sheet

Incline AX

Pedigree: (AF28/Byrd)//(AF10/2*Byrd)
Plant Variety Protection: Yes
PlainsGold Variety Info & Contact
Ref. No.: 18-016

Description:

Released in 2017, Incline AX was one of the first widely available CoAXium® varieties for Fall of 2019, enabling growers to utilize Aggressor herbicide for control of feral rye, cheatgrass and jointed goatgrass.
A late-heading variety with very good tolerance to Aggressor herbicide applications, and very good straw strength and baking quality.
For fields with heavy populations of feral rye and cheatgrass.
Certified Seed Only, no saved seed allowed.
Cultivar Tech Sheet

Brawl CL Plus

Pedigree: Teal 11A / Above // CO99314
Plant Variety Protection: Yes
PlainsGold Variety Info & Contact
Ref. No.: 12-032

Description:

Released in 2011, Brawl CL Plus is a two-gene Clearfield® variety that has shown stable performance over a wide geography for several years.
Two genes for tolerance to Beyond™ herbicide allows growers to add methylated seed oil to the tank mix to increase effectiveness of the herbicide, especially on jointed goatgrass.
Demonstrated very good ability to maintain higher grain protein with increasing yield levels
Certified Seed Only, no saved seed allowed.
Cultivar Tech Sheet

Last Updated: February 2021

Opportunity

Available for Licensing

Reference Number

Per Individual Variety

Licensing Manager

Jessy McGowan
Jessy.McGowan@colostate.edu
970-491-7100

Hard Red Winter Wheat

At a Glance

Overview

Hard Red Winter Wheat Varieties

Hard Red Winter Wheat – Herbicide Resistant Varieties

Opportunity

Reference Number

Licensing Manager

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