USDA ARS Wheat Quality Laboratories

 

The United States is the third largest producer of wheat in the world with an annual production of 60 million metric tons in 2010, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The total harvested wheat acreage in 2008 was 55.6 million (source: National Association of Wheat Growers).

 

The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) conducts wheat quality research through four strategically-located regional Wheat Quality Laboratories (WQLs) as part of the National Program in Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products.  Each WQL focuses on wheat types commonly grown in its region:

Western Wheat Quality Laboratory (WWQL) in Pullman, Washington for the Pacific West/Far West region

Hard Winter Wheat Quality Laboratory (HWWQL) in Manhattan, Kansas for the Great Plains region

Hard Spring and Durum Wheat Quality Laboratory (HSDWQL) in Fargo, North Dakota for the Northern region

Soft Wheat Quality Laboratory (SWQL) in Wooster, Ohio for the Eastern region

 

The mission of the USDA ARS Wheat Quality Laboratories is to advance the quality and utilization of wheat grain in the U.S. for the betterment of U.S. consumers, farmers, and milling, baking, and processing industries. 

 

Below are links to summary descriptions for each laboratory.

 

	Western Wheat Quality Laboratory (WWQL) Pullman, Washington
	Hard Winter Wheat Quality Laboratory (HWWQL) Manhattan, Kansas
	Hard Spring and Durum Wheat Quality Laboratory (HSDWQL) Fargo, North Dakota
	Soft Wheat Quality Laboratory (SWQL) Wooster, Ohio

        

Click here to see guidelines for wheat sample assessments.