FACTORS AFFECTING THE SUPPLY OF QUALITY SPRING WHEATS: COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

The demand for high quality hard wheats has been increasing. In this paper, factors affecting the supply and consistency of high quality wheats in Canada and North Dakota were compared and contrasted. Differences exist in the development and release of new varieties which affect the number and quality of hard wheats produced. Variety numbers and concentration were examined with a range of measures. Wheat area in Canada was found to be concentrated in fewer varieties than in North Dakota. These results were more apparent for durum than for hard red spring wheats. However, there was a trend toward more concentration in North Dakota and less in Canada. Protein, yield, and trade-offs were compared. Alberta appears to have a comparative advantage in the production of higher protein wheats. Farmers there have less of a yield loss penalty for increasing protein, compared to other regions. Varietal selection models were developed to analyze factors affecting variety choice. In Canada, agronomic factors including, relative yields, were significant variables affecting variety choice. In North Dakota, agronomic factors other than years since release generally had less effect on adoption rates. Varieties in North Dakota and Manitoba were found to have shorter life cycles and reached their maximum utilization by farmers faster than in Alberta or Saskatchewan