Oklahoma State University /OSU wheat varieties have achieved a historic milestone, claiming all ten of the top spots for planted acres of Hard Red Winter Wheat in Oklahoma. According to the March 2026 Oklahoma Variety Report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, this marks the eighth consecutive year that OSU-developed varieties have led the state’s wheat acreage.
Executive Director of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, Mike Schulte, noted that while OSU varieties typically dominate the top five, the sweep of the entire top 10 highlights the strength of the state’s research program. Farm Director KC Sheperd joined Schulte to discuss how these varieties provide producers with essential tools for managing weather volatility, price fluctuations, and diverse regional needs.
Leading Varieties and Market Movement
The 2026 report shows several key shifts in variety preferences among Oklahoma farmers:
- Doublestop CL Plus: Maintains its position as the number one planted variety for the fifth consecutive year. It remains a favorite for its weed control capabilities as a Clearfield variety and its strong performance in dual-purpose grazing and grain systems.
- Showdown: Moved from fourth to second place. It is recognized for a high yield ceiling, good standability, and resistance to the Hessian fly.
- Smith’s Gold: Held steady in the third position.
- OK Corral: An OSU beardless variety, it climbed to fourth place. It is widely used as a replacement for the Deliver variety and is adapted for regions ranging from West Texas to Southern Kansas.
- High Cotton: Saw the most significant growth, jumping from 22nd to 7th place. This variety offers genetic protection against leaf and stripe rust and has yielded 17% above average in statewide trials.
- Butler’s Gold: Surged from 21st to 10th place. It is particularly suited for late planting dates, allowing producers more time to manage fall-emerging weeds or finish summer crop harvests.
Innovation and Future Releases
The partnership between the OSU Wheat Improvement Team, led by Dr. Brett Carver, and the USDA-ARS facilities in Stillwater continues to focus on long-term resilience. Schulte emphasized that these varieties undergo years of rigorous testing to ensure they meet the specific milling and baking quality standards required by global food industries.
Recent releases are already gaining traction:
- Wyatt: A new variety with seeds becoming available to producers this fall.
- Orange Blossom CL Plus: A newer Clearfield release with a strong resistance package.
- Breakthrough: Entered the rankings at 18th place, largely due to its Wsm1 gene which provides resistance to Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus, a critical tool for producers in the Panhandle.
Efforts are also underway at both the state and national levels to secure funding for new wheat research farms, laboratories, and greenhouses to further modernize the OSU program.
To read more about the Wheat Varities, click on the links below.
Wyatt Variety News Release OSU
Orange Blossom Variety News Release OSU
