The Texas Wheat Producers Board has approved funding for 16 research projects totaling $400,000 for the 2026-27 funding cycle, continuing its investment in programs aimed at improving wheat production, profitability and sustainability across the state.
The funding was approved during the board's April 2026 meeting in Amarillo, Texas and will support a range of research initiatives focused on wheat breeding, genetics, disease resistance, silage production and farm management practices.
Board leaders said the investment is intended to provide growers with improved varieties and practical tools as they navigate challenging production conditions and tight economic margins.
A significant portion of the funding will support wheat breeding and genetics programs led primarily by Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension. The programs focus on developing Hard Red Winter and Soft Red Winter wheat varieties with improved yield potential and resilience against pests and diseases.
The research comes at a time when Texas wheat fields have experienced widespread disease and pest pressure, including significant impacts from Hessian fly infestations and diseases associated with wheat curl mite populations. Breeding efforts are targeting these challenges through the development of stronger varieties with enhanced performance and resistance traits.
The board noted that producer support through the statewide wheat assessment has helped sustain the breeding program over the years, contributing to the release of widely adopted Texas-developed wheat varieties and supporting complementary projects designed to improve breeding outcomes and farm profitability.
Funding also will be directed toward small grain silage research, an area that has gained importance among Texas producers. Projects supported through the small grains silage assessment will focus on improving forage yield and quality, evaluating management practices and increasing knowledge of varieties best suited for silage production.
Additional research projects will examine opportunities to improve wheat marketability, expand varietal performance data, evaluate production inputs and optimize on-farm management practices. Among the funded initiatives is a project aimed at incorporating the Biological Nitrification Inhibition trait into wheat varieties. Researchers hope the trait can improve nitrogen-use efficiency and reduce fertilizer requirements.
The board also is continuing investments in collaborative efforts outside Texas. Funding will support participation in the Wheat Genetics Resource Center and partnerships with other state wheat organizations focused on integrating drought-resilient technologies into Texas wheat breeding programs.
According to the board, research proposals are reviewed annually with input from the Small Grains Advisory Council, which includes research and extension professionals. The board evaluates each proposal and allocates funding to projects considered most likely to benefit Texas wheat producers.
At the end of the funding cycle, project outcomes will be reviewed to assess effectiveness and identify research-based solutions that can be adopted by farmers across the state.
Source: Texas Wheat Producers Board, "Texas Wheat Continues Commitment to Producer-Driven Research"