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New wheat variety named after retired MN Wheat director Dave Torgerson

Plant breeders at the University of Minnesota have developed a new spring wheat variety they are calling “MN-Torgy” in honor of longtime Minnesota Wheat director Dave Torgerson.

Jim Anderson, a professor of wheat breeding and genetics, tells Brownfield they have a history of naming varieties after significant places and people.

“So Dave Torgerson, that was (a name) that came to mind. He’s been very good at facilitating interaction among growers and researchers. He was real big on educating growers about what the researchers did and the breeding process.”

He describes MN-Torgy as a wheat variety that provides competitive yields, higher grain protein than most competitors, and good straw strength.

“There are varieties that are stronger, but MN-Torgy will stand up fairly well. And I think it is standing up fairly well this growing season.”

Anderson says MN-Torgy has been released to seed growers and will be available for certified seed production in 2021.