Featured

MT21174 hard red spring wheat with solid-stem sawfly tolerance

Technology

In development

University

Hard red spring wheat line for Northern Plains rainfed systems with ~14.4% protein, solid-stem sawfly tolerance, and excellent baking quality.

Overview

Montana State University seeks a partner to license and commercialize a new hard red spring wheat. MT21174 is a high-performing hard red spring wheat variety developed for Montana rainfed production systems. It offers balanced agronomic performance, competitive yield, and strong end-use quality comparable to leading varieties such as Dagmar.

Development and pedigree

MT21174 was developed from the cross DAGMAR//MT1142/MT1225. The variety was selected for performance and adaptation in Montana environments and shares key agronomic characteristics with Dagmar while providing a distinct genetic background.

Key advantages

Adapted to Montana and Northern Plains rainfed environments
Yield performance competitive with widely grown commercial varieties
Grain protein comparable to industry standards
Good test weight and agronomic stability
Strong end-use quality, including excellent loaf volume

Agronomic performance

Advanced Yield Trials (2023-2025, 29 location-years):

Average yield of ~74.0 bu/ac across all environments
Competitive with leading Montana varieties (e.g., Dagmar, Vida)
Consistent performance across both rainfed and irrigated environments

Rainfed Environments (20 location-years):

Average yield of ~57.6 bu/ac
Comparable to commonly grown varieties in Montana production systems

Agronomic Traits:

Test weight: ~61.0 lb/bu (comparable to leading varieties)
Grain protein: ~14.4% (on par with industry standards)
Heading date: slightly later than Dagmar
Plant height: moderate (~33 inches)

Insect Response:

Solid stem expression similar to Dagmar
Sawfly cutting comparable to Dagmar under tested conditions

End-Use Quality:

Very good overall milling and baking quality
Flour yield and protein within commercial targets
Strong baking performance with excellent loaf volume
Meets or exceeds breeding targets for key quality traits

Adaptation

MT21174 is best suited for:

Montana rainfed wheat production systems
Northern Plains environments with similar climate and disease pressures

Licensing opportunity

Status: Available for Exclusive License
US plant variety protection (PVP) rights available for license and commercialization in all states; international plant breeder's rights available for license and commercialization outside the United States.
Additional agronomic information available in the MT21174 Variety Release Package.

About Montana State University

Montana State University's substantial research enterprise growth has been accompanied by focused investments in innovation and research translation, creating new opportunities for companies to engage with MSU research and expertise. A particular strength is MSU’s network of specialized centers, institutes, and industry-accessible core facilities, which bring together multidisciplinary expertise, advanced research infrastructure, testing capabilities, and established pathways for working with industry partners. MSU is one of a select group of universities participating in the NSF's Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program, which is building the capacity and infrastructure needed to translate more research discoveries into solutions with real-world impact. The growing MSU Innovation Campus and expanding incubator infrastructure provide additional opportunities for university-industry interaction, startup development, and technology-focused companies. These efforts are complemented by MSU’s Technology Transfer Office, which works with researchers and companies to protect and license MSU inventions and facilitate industry-sponsored research collaborations.