A very uncharacteristic cool and windy July day had farmers huddled on flatbed trailers for this years field day at the North Central Research Extension Center south of Minot.

As days go though today represented much of what this growing season has been like for many in the area...... below average temperatures and lots of wind.

(Dr. Elias Elias, NDSU durum Breeder) "The good news is right now is when I looked at the varieties of trials I haven't seen much of the disease. So maybe that would be a good news to everybody even though we've had some wet weather but the temperature is cool, it's not helping the disease to develop."


Dr. Elias Elias, a durum wheat breeder at North Dakota State University, says disease resistance is a leading characteristic he's looked for in newer durum varieties.

Scab has been a leading crop disease in durum in past years and Dr. Elias says several varieties have been standing up well to the fungus infection.

(Dr. Elias Elias, NDSU Durum Breeder) "The variety Divide will do well. The newer varieties also like the Alkabo, the Grenora will do well, the one from the Dakota Company, the DG Star also will do well when it comes to scab."


Older varieties like Ben still have some resistance to leaf diseases but Dr. Elias says the newer varieties are proving to be the best in the field producing higher yields, better quality and holding up against disease.

Elias says with several different Durum varieties out there, picking the one that's right for their land takes a little bit of research on their part.

(Dr. Elias Elias, NDSU Durum Breeder) "Their experience should help them, which varieties work for them the best. But also they should look at some of the data that the research centers provide and tell them which varieties performed well in their region and that's the one they should pick."


Dr. Elias says NDSU has a few more durum varieties coming down the pipeline that are showing great promise with quality, yield and disease resistance but are at least a year or more away from being released.

The durum program from Dr. Elias Elias was just one of many at the Research Station today, giving farmers a first hand look at the crop trials and the data behind the plants.

South of Minot, with Your Eye On Agriculture, Shaun Sipma KX News. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list