Durum Wheat Offers New Hope for Kansas Farmers

Kansas farmers are turning to durum wheat, a type of hardy grain used in pasta production, as a way to boost their profits and compete with other crops. The state has been known as 'The Wheat State' since Russian immigrants brought wheat to the Plains in the 1870s.

But for decades, Kansas farmers have been shifting away from traditional winter wheat due to lower prices and more profitable alternatives like corn and sorghum. Now, a new durum variety released by Kansas State University is giving them another option.

The durum wheat is milled into semolina flour used in pasta production, making it a valuable crop for farmers who can meet the demanding specifications of buyers. According to Tanner Ehmke, a lead economist for CoBank, durum historically pays significantly more than hard red winter wheat, potentially adding up to $2 or more per bushel.