Eight new varieties join 2026 wheat quality rankings
The Washington Grain Commission is pleased to provide the 2026 wheat quality rankings for the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Considering about 80% of PNW wheat production is exported each year, producing a high-quality crop that meets customer demands is critical to maintaining export markets.
The Preferred Wheat Varieties Brochure ranks Eastern Washington, Oregon, and Northern Idaho wheat varieties using not just one, but six components to evaluate end-use quality. Washington was the first state in the U.S. to rank varieties for quality, with Oregon and Idaho joining the effort soon after. Wheat growers are encouraged to reference these rankings when deciding between varieties.
End-use quality determinations were based on results from grain, milling, and product quality tests. The most desirable ranking characterizes varieties that have high test weights, appropriate protein content (kernel properties), and excellent milling and end-use properties. Desirable-ranked varieties range from good to very good kernel, milling, and end-use qualities. Acceptable varieties have qualities ranging from acceptable to good and may contain potential minor flaws, but are acceptable in international trade.
Of the components used in evaluating quality, 10% of the score is assigned to a variety’s test weight and protein, while milling attributes receive 30% of the focus. The largest consideration is end-use functionality (baking performance), where 60% of a variety’s score is assigned. The scores are reviewed yearly as new data becomes available and are subject to change.
There are eight new entries to the Preferred Wheat Varieties Brochure for 2026. The new entries for soft white winter wheat include LCS Scorpion AX as Most Desirable, and LCS Hydra AX, LCS Kraken AX, and LCS Reaper AX as Desirable. There was one new entry for hard red winter wheat: LCS Eclipse AX as Acceptable. There was also one new entry for soft white spring wheat: Soda as Most Desirable. The two new entries for hard red spring wheat, WB9623 and CP3530, also came in as Most Desirable. Most of the new entries are at the Desirable and Most Desirable levels, so we continue to hold steady with the high-quality varieties in the PNW that our customers expect and appreciate.
These rankings are based on the results of the genotype and environment study (G&E) quality testing conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA)Western Wheat Quality Laboratory, the Washington State University Wheat Quality Program, the University of Idaho Wheat Quality Laboratory, and the Oregon State University Cereal Quality Laboratory, including relevant breeding nurseries.
The quality scores presented here reflect a minimum of three years of data in the G&E Study, using a reference variety for each class. Therefore, varieties may be in commercial production before they are included in the list. The list is reviewed annually and includes the top varieties currently in production. Varieties not listed have not been tested or have less than three years of data. For complete results, please visit wwql.wsu.edu.
All classes have shown dramatic improvements in quality since the G&E study first began gathering data in 1997. The Preferred Wheat Varieties Brochure is provided courtesy of the Washington Grain Commission, the Oregon Wheat Commission, and the Idaho Wheat Commission.
This article originally appeared in the May 2026 issue of Wheat Life Magazine.
Alecia Kiszonas, a research biologist with the USDA’s
Agricultural Research Service, contributed to this article.