Importance Of Wheat Variety Differences In Test Weight

DR. BILL BRUENING

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

The 2026 University of Kentucky wheat variety trial results are available online (see QR code). 

Wheat test weight is important because it serves as an indicator of grain quality, impacting a farmer's marketability and price for the crop, as well as the milling yield and quality of flour/baking characteristics. Higher test weights correspond with better flour extraction and marketability, while lower weights lead to discounts/dockages from grain buyers. 

Wheat test weights appear to be very good in Kentucky this year. However, in recent years, growers have seen price dockages when marketing their wheat due to low test weights. Test weight is a heritable trait and should be considered when making variety selections. The table shows variety differences in test weight along with the top 20 yielding varieties (highlighted in blue). This shows that some high yielding varieties have above average test weight and some below. Maximizing production profitability starts with variety selection and in years when test weights are affected by environmental conditions a 1 point difference may be the difference in being docked or not.

This type of data is available from most state variety testing programs. The Kentucky wheat variety testing program is funded in part by the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association.   ∆

DR. BILL BRUENING

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY