• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • LinkedIn
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • MEMBER LOGIN
U.S. Wheat Associates
  • Our Story
    • About USW
    • Dependable People. Reliable Wheat.
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff Directory
    • Office Locations
  • Market Information
    • Market Information
    • Price Reports
    • Price Charting Tools
    • Supply and Demand
    • Commercial Sales
  • Crop Quality
    • Crop Quality
    • Harvest Reports
    • Hard Red Winter
    • Hard Red Spring
    • Hard White
    • Soft White
    • Soft Red Winter
    • Durum
  • Working With Buyers
    • Working With Buyers
    • Customer Conferences
    • Wheat Classes
    • Wheat Glossary
    • Wheat Grade Factors
    • How to Buy
    • Ask the Expert
    • Resources
  • Who We Represent
    • Who We Represent
    • Board Meetings
    • State Wheat Commissions
    • Partners
    • Trade Activities
  • Policy
    • Policy
    • Trade Negotiations
    • Trade Barriers
    • Innovation and Sustainability
    • Food Security and Assistance
    • Public–Private Partnership
  • News
    • Newsroom
    • Wheat Letter Blog
    • News Releases
    • Videos
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
You are here: Wheat Letter Blog 1
Hard Red Winter, Wheat Quality

Expect Excellent Functional Quality in 2022 U.S. Hard Red Winter Export Supplies

Composite image of wheat and bread for the 2022 hard red winter crop quality story

Even in the face of dry conditions across much of the central and southern production area, U.S. farmers produced one of the highest quality hard red winter (HRW) wheat crops in several years for 2022/23.

The new HRW crop has consistent kernel characteristics and protein across the export tributaries in the Gulf and Pacific. Flour quality attributes exceed last year and many of the 5-year averages, results that indicate this crop will make high quality end products. The 2022 crop meets or exceeds typical HRW contract specifications and should provide high value to the customer.

Image of a mature hard red winter wheat field in South Dakota in 2022 at sunset.

The 2022 U.S. hard red winter (HRW) wheat crop meets or exceeds typical HRW contract specifications and should provide high value to the customer.

Plains Grains, Inc., and the USDA/ARS Hard Winter Wheat Quality Lab, Manhattan, Kan., collected and analyzed 524 samples from elevators in 11 states and the California Wheat Commission collected and analyzed 93 HRW samples in its state. The results are weighted by the estimated production for each of 40 reporting area and combined into Composite Average, PNW, Gulf and California values. This report shares Composite averages, but U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) will post the full Hard Red Winter Wheat 2022 Quality Survey, including data for each export tributary, on its website in late October.

USW encourages buyers to review their quality specifications to ensure purchases meet their expectations.

The Season in Review

Planted area for the 2022 HRW crop is estimated 23.5 million acres (9.5 million hectares) seeded in fall 2021, similar to planted area the previous year.

Growing conditions varied across the hard red winter production regions. Southern and Central Plains experienced historic drought resulting in lower yields, smaller kernels and higher than average protein. The Northern Great Plains and Pacific Northwest, while dry, experienced more favorable growing conditions resulting in high yields, good kernel characteristics and desirable protein.

Estimated 2022 U.S. HRW production is 14.4 million metric tons (MMT), down 29% from 20.4 MMT in 2021 due to the widespread drought. That total is the lowest for many years. Carry-in U.S. HRW stocks are estimated at 9.6 MMT.

2022 Hard Red Winter Crop Highlights – Composite Averages

  • The Composite average grade for the 2022 HRW harvest survey is U.S. No. 1 HRW.
  • Test weight Composite average is 61.0 lb/bu (80.2 kg/hl), indicative of sound wheat.
  • Protein content Composite average is 13.0% (12% mb), well above the 5-year average.
  • Wet gluten average of 32.3% is well above last year and the 5-year average, reflective of excellent gluten strength.
  • Wheat falling number Composite average is 361 sec.
  • Kernels are larger and slightly harder than last year.
  • Flour ash average of 0.52% (14% mb) is comparable to last year and 5-year averages.
  • Dough properties suggest that this crop has excellent water absorption, higher than last year and the 5-year average with good stability slightly below last year but in-line with the 5-year average.
  • Composite average bake absorption is 65.3%, higher than last year and above the 5-year average.
  • Average loaf volume of 939 cc is well above last year and 5-year averages, indicative of excellent baking quality.
October 6, 2022/by Steve Mercer
Share this
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022-CQ-Header-HRW.png 570 1104 Steve Mercer https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/USW-Logo-Full-Color.png Steve Mercer2022-10-06 10:46:462022-10-06 11:13:20Expect Excellent Functional Quality in 2022 U.S. Hard Red Winter Export Supplies

Wheatletter Sidebar

Quick Links

  • Newsroom
  • Wheat Letter Blog
  • News Releases
  • Videos

Wheat Letter Related Blogs

Photo of a combine unloading wheat into a semi-trailer.
Wheat Industry News

Wheat Industry News

News and Information from Around the U.S. Wheat Industry Speaking of Wheat “Overall, U.S.…
MORE
March 16, 2023
https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/USW_2022_NE_Harvest-5-scaled.jpg 1707 2560 Steve Mercer https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/USW-Logo-Full-Color.png Steve Mercer2023-03-16 09:38:472023-03-16 09:38:47Wheat Industry News
Image shows a folded US$ bill shaped like a price movement chart up and down and flat.
Market and Crop Analysis

Markets Look for Weaker Dollar as Purchasing Conditions Improve

With recent breaks in U.S. and global wheat futures and lower freight rates, the wheat market…
MORE
March 15, 2023
https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/Looking-for-a-Weaker-.jpg 795 1318 Steve Mercer https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/USW-Logo-Full-Color.png Steve Mercer2023-03-15 17:00:322023-03-16 09:39:20Markets Look for Weaker Dollar as Purchasing Conditions Improve

Stay up to date on wheat industry news!

SUBSCRIBE

Think Farm Export Programs Don’t Matter? Think Again.

GET THE REST OF THE STORY

Our Story

  • About USW
  • Dependable People. Reliable Wheat.
  • Board of Directors
  • Staff Directory
  • Office Locations

Market Information

  • Market Information
  • Price Reports
  • Price Charting Tools
  • Supply and Demand
  • Commercial Sales

Crop Quality

  • Crop Quality
  • Harvest Reports
  • Hard Red Winter
  • Hard Red Spring
  • Hard White
  • Soft White
  • Soft Red Winter
  • Durum

Working with Buyers

  • Working With Buyers
  • Customer Conferences
  • Wheat Classes
  • Wheat Glossary
  • Wheat Grade Factors
  • How to Buy
  • Ask the Expert
  • Resources

Who We Represent

  • Who We Represent
  • Board Meetings
  • State Wheat Commissions
  • Partners
  • Trade Activities

Policy

  • Policy
  • Trade Negotiations
  • Trade Barriers
  • Innovation and Sustainability
  • Food Security and Assistance
  • Public-Private Partnership

News

  • Newsroom
  • Wheat Letter Blog
  • News Releases
  • Videos

DTN Wheat Detail
DTN Corn Detail

2008-2013 U.S. Wheat Associates. All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy | Non-Discrimination Statement

Scroll to top