Durum Wheat Gains Ground in Kansas as Pasta Market Expands

Kansas farmers are testing a new durum wheat variety that can be milled into semolina flour for pasta. This type of wheat has been traditionally used in other parts of the world but is now being grown in Kansas, which could bring more profit to local farmers.

The state's wheat production has been declining over the years, with acres of winter wheat falling to 32.6 million in 2023, one of the lowest levels since 1909. Russia and eastern Europe have surpassed Kansas in wheat production, making it harder for Kansas farmers to compete.

However, durum wheat is a specialty crop that can give Kansas farmers an edge in the market. It has more protein than traditional winter wheat and can be grown with minimal water usage, which is beneficial for western Kansas where irrigation water pumps are being lost due to declining Ogallala Aquifer levels.

The new durum variety was released by Kansas State University in 2023, after nearly 25 years of development. The breeders aimed to create a crop that could handle the Kansas winter growing season and provide more profit for farmers. With over 9,000 acres already planted, the goal is to see 100,000 acres or more across the state in the future.