The aristocrat of wheat when it comes to “designer” wheat foods like bagels, artisan hearth breads, pizza crust and other strong dough applications, U.S. hard red spring (HRS) wheat is also a valued improver in flour blends. It has high protein of 12.0% to 15.0% (12% mb), hard endosperm, red bran, strong gluten and high water absorption.
For the miller, the reward for incorporating HRS into the grist includes a higher-than-average flour yield from its harder, more compact endosperm. This creates excellent granulation through the break system, providing an abundance of stock to the purifiers producing the maximum amount of low ash, bright color flour.
For the baker, HRS delivers strong dough characteristics used alone or as part of a blend to improve the overall performance of the desired dough. In markets where consumers are demanding a “clean label,” HRS flour blended with HRW or other wheat flour can create better water absorption and loaf volume while reducing or eliminating the use of chemical improvers. And many pasta makers around the world know that when traditional durum wheat semolina is not needed, HRS wheat flour or semolina is a very acceptable alternative.
Where is U.S. Hard Red Spring grown?
Grown primarily in the North Central region, U.S. hard red spring (HRS) is the second-largest class of U.S. wheat. HRS can be exported from the Pacific, Gulf, and Great Lakes ports.
Please select your preferred language, report, and year, and click View Reports.
2021 U.S. Hard Red Spring Production
According to USDA’s Small Grains Annual Summary released September 30, 2021, production of the 2021 U.S. HRS crop is estimated to be 8.1 million metric tons (MMT), a 44% decrease from last year’s 14.4 MMT and below the 5-year average of 12.4 MMT.
- 2021 (MMT)
- Total HRS production in states sampled*
- Eastern-exportable subtotal
- Western-exportable subtotal
- Total U.S. HRS Production
- 2021 (MMT)
- 8.1
- 4.5
- 3.6
- 8.1
- 2020 (MMT)
- 14.4
- 6.9
- 7.5
- 14.4
- 5-Year Average (MMT)
- 12.8
- 6.5
- 6.3
- 12.8
*States sampled: Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota and Washington. Numbers may not match exactly due to rounding.
2021 U.S. Hard Red Spring Crop Quality Data Highlights
The 2021 U.S. HRS crop endured significant drought conditions, leading to a sharp reduction in yields and increased abandonment. Despite the moisture stressed growing season, quality parameters of the crop are very good, with high protein content, high vitreous levels, low kernel moisture and sound kernels. Buyers will be pleased with this year’s improved dough strength and higher absorption values. With reduced supply and isolated areas with higher levels of shrunken and broken and lighter 1000 kernel weights, buyers should always remain diligent in their contract specifications.
.
U.S. HARD RED SPRING AVERAGE COMPOSITE DATA HIGHIGHTS
The table below provides highlights of total crop “Composite” averages. For full quality results, please see the U.S. Wheat Associates Crop Quality Report to be released late October 2021.
- 2021 Average
- Test Weight (lb/bu)
- Test Weight (kg/hl)
- Vitreous Kernels (%)
- Moisture (%)
- Wheat Protein (%) 12% mb
- Wheat Protein (%) 0% mb
- Wheat Falling Number (sec)
- DON (ppm)
- 2021 Average
- 62.1
- 80.6
- 80
- 11.6
- 15.4
- 17.5
- 377
<0.5
- 2020 Average
- 61.8
- 81.3
- 71
- 11.9
- 14.3
- 16.3
- 374
<0.5
- 5-Year Average
- 61.6
- 81.0
- 74
- 12.1
- 14.4
- 16.3
- 376
<0.5
