MN-Torgy is a hard red spring wheat variety released by the University of Minnesota in 2020. MN-Torgy features a good combination of yield, protein, straw strength and disease resistance.
Key characteristics
- High yielding
- Well adapted to MN, ND and SD
- Good straw strength
- Good scab and BLS resistance
- Very good test weight and protein
Where to find seed
MN-Torgy is distributed by Minnesota Crop Improvement Association members. Visit the MCIA website - www.mncia.org - for a list of Certified seed producers or contact MCIA at 1-800-510-6242.
Additional details
Jim Anderson, University of Minnesota wheat breeder, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, says: “MN-Torgy has shown its promise to perform well across the wheat growing region and its straw strength is better than most higher yielding varieties.”
Prior to its release, MN-Torgy stood out in both state and regional trials including the Uniform Regional Nurseries trials. In addition to strong yield performance, MN-Torgy has moderate overall disease resistance, with a very good rating for bacterial leaf streak (BLS) and a good Fusarium head blight rating. It is similar in height to SY-Valda with slightly better straw strength. MN-Torgy has a good rating for pre-harvest sprouting, above average protein and good test weight.
Jochum Wiersma, University of Minnesota Extension Agronomist, stresses that: “MN-Torgy’s performance in UMN field trials and NDSU trials showcase its adaptability and highlight its value.”
The release is named in honor of Dave Torgerson, a familiar name for northwest Minnesota farmers, who retired as Executive Director of both the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council and the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers in 2019.
“I was lucky to have worked for wheat growers who supported wheat research and the UMN wheat breeding program so strongly,” said Dave Torgerson. “When growers see the name it should remind them of Jim Anderson and the entire UMN breeding team who work tirelessly to develop better varieties for them.”
The support of the MN wheat organizations under Torgerson’s tenure has been instrumental in the release of other University of Minnesota spring wheat varieties: MN-Washburn (2019), Lang-MN (2017), Shelly (2016), Bolles (2015), Linkert (2013), and Rollag (2011).