Reardan Wheat Grower Is Winner of 2018 National Wheat Yield Contest

December 31, 2018

David Gross achieves winning yield with WestBred® wheat

ST. LOUIS (January 2, 2019) – A Spokane County, Washington, wheat grower has been recognized for achieving one of the highest 2018 wheat yields in the country. David Gross, of Reardan, has been named a winner of the National Wheat Foundation’s 2018 National Wheat Yield Contest. He has also won an all-expenses paid trip to Orlando, Florida, to attend the 2019 Commodity Classic, courtesy of the National Wheat Foundation and WestBred® wheat.

Gross took top National honors in the Irrigated Winter Wheat category with a WestBred variety, WB4311, to which he attributes his award-winning yield of 154.51 Bu/A — a yield that is 171.07 percent above his county average. Gross purchased his certified WB4311 seed from HighLine Grain Growers, Inc.

“Wheat growers require high performance varieties ensuring they can continue to provide an abundant, quality crop,” says Dr. Jeff Koscelny, Global Wheat Commercial Strategy Lead and WestBred Wheat Business Lead. “Gross achieved one of the highest wheat yields in the country this year, and we’re proud that he did so with a WestBred variety. We look forward to celebrating his remarkable achievement at Commodity Classic this winter.”

After doing his research, Gross was confident his WB4311 would do well, but he was surprised at just how well it did his first season planting it. Its high yield wasn’t the only attribute that impressed him; it also didn’t lodge in his fields, and it offered a strong disease package. But it’s the flour quality that was of special interest to Gross, who sells his wheat to a niche market miller.

“We’re all about protein levels, and the protein of the WB4311 was really good,” he says. “We sell our wheat to a specific miller who really values quality. From texture to smell to taste, the bread baked with WB4311 did not let us down. Our WestBred varieties have never failed us.”

The National Wheat Yield Contest recognizes the top five growers in the sectors of Winter Wheat Dryland, Winter Wheat Irrigated, Spring Wheat Dryland and Spring Wheat Irrigated. Winners were determined by evaluating the yield percentage increase above the USDA NASS county Olympic averages. Only first-place state winners within each sector compete for the national award.

About WestBred Wheat

WestBred wheat provides seed suppliers and their growers access to the highest yield potential wheat seed, as well as testing, education, resources and experienced representatives to help maximize their yield potential.

Reardan Wheat Grower Is Winner of 2018 National Wheat Yield Contest

David Gross achieves winning yield with WestBred® wheat

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