2026 Research Review Highlights

Every March, the North Dakota Wheat Commission (NDWC) board gathers for an intensive review of our research portfolio. This annual meeting is more than just a reporting session; it is a strategic "look over the horizon" that allows our leadership to direct grower dollars toward the projects that will define the future of North Dakota agriculture. By evaluating ongoing research alongside new proposals, the Commission ensures that our state remains the global leader in both wheat yield and superior end-use quality, while addressing important agronomic issues for producers.

The Core Mission: Breeding the Next Generation

At the heart of our research investment are the HRS, durum and HRW breeding programs. These programs are the lifeblood of our industry. During the March sessions, researchers provided critical updates on the "pipeline"—the multi-year process of moving a variety from a experimental plot to a producer’s field. All three programs have been successful in recent years with the following recent variety releases that are making strides in agronomic attributes like yield and disease resistance, while focusing on high end use quality standards.

ND Stampede (HRS)

ND Horizon (HRS)

ND Roughrider (HRS)

ND Gladiator (Durum)

ND Noreen (HRW)

New Frontiers: Spotlighting 2026 Funded Project Areas

While we continue to support long-term breeding and quality efforts, the Commission considers projects in many supporting areas and timely projects that address specific issues. Below is a summary of some of the areas the Commission approved funding for:

1. New technology uses in research. From exploring AI’s role in developing a model for analyzing and predicting kernel and quality data to utilizing drones for weed detection, protein and yield estimates, and fungicide applications, the NDWC provided funding to researchers that aim to utilize the latest technology to explore options to make certain research more efficient.

2. Continued disease and pest evaluation and management tools. While not a new area of research, disease and pest issues often top the list of producer concerns. The Commission funds numerous projects that aim to increase disease resistance and offer options for control. From genomic selection projects that have potential to provide methods of resistance for new varieties, to continued research on modes of action to control disease, Commission funded research covers it all. Fusarium headblight, bacterial leaf streak, rusts and ergot are all covered in this area. Pests such as wheat stem sawfly, wheat midge and Hessian fly are also studied through NDWC research funding.

3. Regionalized research. In recent years, the Commission has seen an increase of funding requests from Research Extension Centers around the state. These projects tend to address more regional specific agronomic issues of concern to producers. While this type of research falls outside of traditional funded programs, the board has found it beneficial for producers and allows a more local and visible approach to research that directly impacts producers.

A Partnership for Progress

The research vetted this March represents millions of dollars in grower investments. Whether it’s studying the "Digestive Resistance" of wheat starch to meet new consumer health trends or improving the "Frozen Dough Tolerance" of our spring wheat, every project is chosen with the producer’s ROI in mind.

We want to thank the researchers and the board for their dedication during these meetings. It is this commitment to science-driven governance that ensures North Dakota wheat remains the most sought-after wheat in the world.

The Commission approved about $1.5 million in research requests at its March meeting for fiscal year 2026-27. The above chart shows amounts approved for the main categories of research.