Canada: Durum yields falling behind spring wheat

Spring wheat and durum yields were similar in Saskatchewan from 2005-14.

In many years, average yields for the two wheat types were exactly the same across the province, although spring wheat sometimes produced about one additional bushel per acre.

That relationship changed in 2015. Spring wheat yields suddenly shot ahead, and a yield gap of seven to 15 bu. per acre became normal. Droughts in southwestern Saskatchewan from 2021-24 played a large role in disappointing durum yields.

However, the yield gap had existed before 2021:

• 2018 – Average spring wheat yield in Saskatchewan was 47.7 bu., while durum was 34.9.
• 2019 – Spring wheat was 47.3, while durum was 40.5.
• 2020 – Spring wheat was 49.9, while durum was 41.3.

Curtis Pozniak, a University of Saskatchewan wheat breeder, believes the yield gap between Canadian Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat and Canadian Western Amber Durum (CWAD) can be partly explained by the varieties that are used.

“Farmers are adopting CWRS varieties more quickly than they are with durum,” said Pozniak, who spoke at the 2025 Durum Summit held Jan. 30 in Swift Current.

“Growers that are focusing on CWRS wheat, their on-farm yield potential is increasing at a faster rate than what we see in durum wheat…. Growers of CWRS wheat are adopting the latest genetics a lot sooner than they are for durum wheat.”

Pozniak had data to support that statement.

Prior to the Durum Summit, he looked at Saskatchewan crop insurance yield data for the brown and dark brown soil zones.

He then he looked at farms that were growing both durum and CWRS.

“Not quite head to head comparisons, but relatively close,” Pozniak said.

From 1998 to 2019, he found that durum yields in the brown and dark brown soil zones had increased 1.3 per cent per year, on average.

Meanwhile, CWRS yields increased 1.8 per cent per year.

Over two decades, 0.5 percent does make a difference.

Assuming yield started at 35 bu. per acre, a 1.8 percent gain per year over 20 years will lead to 50 bu. per acre.

In comparison, a 1.3 percent annual gain for 20 years means 45.3 bu. per acre.

The yield difference between spring wheat and durum is likely connected to variety, Pozniak said.

Data shows that the genetic yield potential of durum is improving, but old varieties stay in the market for too long.

“The line is going up. We are improving genetic potential at a rate of 0.85 per cent per year,” Pozniak said.

Compared to spring wheat, genetic yield gains are closer to 0.7 per cent annually.

The key difference is that growers are rapidly adopting the best genetics for spring wheat, but less so for durum.

A wheat grower at the Durum Summit told the Western Producer that a percentage of durum growers continue to use saved seed.

That reduces cost, but also reduces yield gains.

Marlene Boersch, who runs Mercantile Consulting Venture, a market intelligence firm, has been tracking durum yield gains in Western Canada.

If yield doesn’t increase, year over year, Canada becomes less competitive in the global durum market.

“This chart with yields that I’m fretting about (are) not coming up fast enough,” she said.

“I’m worried about productivity gains for growers and competitiveness for growers.”

Tags: CWAD, yields, durum, spring wheat, Canadian Western Red Spring Wheat, CWRS, Canadian Western Amber Durum