2025 MSU State Wheat Performance Trials report released
The Michigan State University 2025 Wheat Performance Trial results, supported in part by the Michigan Wheat Program, were released in early August. For more than 30 years, MSU has conducted Wheat Performance Trials. For 13 years, the Michigan Wheat Program has provided funds and resources to provide growers with comparative yield, disease resistance and quality parameters for emerging new wheat varieties.
The Wheat Performance Trials are a key piece of the Michigan Wheat Program’s research agenda and are directed by MSU wheat breeder Dr. Eric Olson and MSU wheat systems specialist Dennis Pennington.
Farmers planting wheat this fall should consult the report to learn more about the commercial and experimental varieties tested in 2024-2025 at seven sites across Michigan. This year’s trials included 100 wheat varieties, comprised of 55 commercially available and 45 experimental lines supplied from 11 seed companies and MSU’s wheat breeding program directed by Dr. Eric Olson.
“Bringing new wheat varieties to market and giving our producers a sense of confidence in new seed lines has been a consistent top priority for Michigan’s wheat farmers,” said Jeffery Krohn, Michigan Wheat Program chairman and wheat farmer from Owendale. “Wheat producers look forward to this report each summer to see which varieties performed well in the trials and might be planted on their own farms yet this year.”
Michigan Wheat Program executive director Jody Pollok-Newsom echoed the need to continue to evaluate new seed varieties.
“Investing in this research helps our wheat growers keep advancing in yield and grain quality which were the founding principles for our check-off program,” said Pollok-Newsom. “It is a privilege to participate in this long-running robust trial of wheat varieties of specific interest to growers here in the Great Lakes State.”
Choosing varieties
Research experts caution that variety selection is best made using at least three years of data. Varieties selected using data across all locations and multiple years will likely perform well under a wide range of conditions; although performance of a given variety will vary based on testing location.
When selecting varieties for a specific farm, look for seed lines that perform well near your farm location. The 2025 Michigan State Wheat Performance Trials can be an important tool in reviewing this information. Click here to link to the full 2025 MSU State Wheat Performance Trials report.
“At its August meeting, the Michigan Wheat Program board will review in-depth results of the 2024 Wheat Performance Trials and consider whether to fund this project for the coming 2024-2025 season,” said Pollok-Newsom.