The University of Minnesota has released a new hard red spring wheat variety called ‘MN-Torgy.’ MN-Torgy features a good combination of yield, protein, straw strength and disease resistance.
Jim Anderson, University of Minnesota wheat breeder, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, says: “MN-Torgy has shown its promise to perform well across the wheat growing region and its straw strength is better than most higher yielding varieties.”
MN-Torgy stood out in both state and regional trials including the Uniform Regional Nurseries trials where it finished 3rdout of 30 entries in 2017 and 2018. Jochum Wiersma, University of Minnesota Extension Agronomist, stresses that: “MN-Torgy’s performance in UMN field trials and NDSU trials showcase its adaptability and highlight its value.”
The new release is named in honor of Dave Torgerson, a familiar name for northwest Minnesota farmers, who retired as Executive Director of both the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council and the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers in 2019.
“I was lucky to have worked for wheat growers who supported wheat research and the UMN wheat breeding program so strongly,” said Dave Torgerson. “When growers see the name it should remind them of Jim Anderson and the entire UMN breeding team who work tirelessly to develop better varieties for them.”
The support of the MN wheat organizations under Torgerson’s tenure has been instrumental in the release of other recent University of Minnesota spring wheat varieties; MN-Washburn (2019), Lang-MN (2017), Shelly (2016), Bolles (2015), Linkert (2013), and Rollag (2011). In addition, their support has been critical for other small grain research, which has benefited farmers throughout the upper Midwest.
Performance data and comparisons to other popular MN wheat varieties are included in the tables below. Additional performance data of previously released varieties can be found on the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station website at maes.umn.edu. Prior to being formally named, MN-Torgy was tested as MN14105-7.
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Researchers in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) at the University of Minnesota have been evaluating and developing wheat varieties since 1889. Evaluation and breeding is supported in part by funding from the Minnesota Wheat Research & Promotion Council, USDA-ARS, USDA-NIFA and the Small Grains Initiative and administered by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. MN-Torgy will be distributed through Minnesota Crop Improvement Association members with seed available for planting in spring 2021. Visit the MCIA website - www.mncia.org- where a list of Certified seed producers will be available in September or contact MCIA at 1-800-510-6242.
Contacts:
Jim Anderson, University of Minnesota wheat breeder, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, [email protected], 612-625-9763
Jochum Wiersma, University of Minnesota Extension Agronomist, Northwest Research and Outreach Center, [email protected], 218-281-8629, Cell: 218-280-0123
Roger Wippler, Minnesota Crop Improvement Association, [email protected], 1-800-510-6242