Kansas has long been considered the nation’s breadbasket. That’s because of its hard red winter wheat production. But one Kansas crop breeder is looking to turn the state into America’s pasta bowl. For the past 17 years, Ray Brengman has been working to breed a new type of wheat called winter durum, used in pasta. In a state where water is increasingly scarce, Brengman thinks durum has a bright future, reports Kansas Agland.
Even under irrigation, durum uses less water than corn and pays better than traditional wheat varieties. Of the six classes of wheat, durum is the smallest in terms of US production. It’s grown mainly in North Dakota and Montana. But pasta companies are demanding more of the grain. In 20 years, durum might become a million-ton crop, said Brengman.
