By Scout Nelson
The South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and South Dakota State Foundation Seed Stocks Division have announced the release of a new hard red winter wheat variety named SD Vivian, designed to give farmers higher yields, stronger grain quality, and improved drought tolerance.
This new variety will be available for farmers to purchase for fall 2026 planting.
Named after the small town of Vivian, South Dakota, SD Vivian is the result of a cross between two proven varieties—SY Wolf and Ruth. SY Wolf contributed high yield potential, while Ruth added protein quality and drought resistance, creating a well-balanced and resilient wheat line.
“Even being a higher-yielding wheat, Vivian keeps above-average protein content, thus maximizing both grain yield and grain protein at the same time,” Sunish Sehgal, SDSU winter wheat breeder, said. “In addition, Vivian demonstrates moderate to good resistance to drought, stem rust and Hessian fly. It has a broad adaptation and has been proven to thrive throughout the state.”
Results from 31 field trials conducted across South Dakota from 2023 to 2025 showed that SD Vivian ranked first in yield in central and western regions and third in the east. It also maintained strong protein composition, ranking among the top varieties tested.
These trials were conducted on producers’ farms under no-till conditions, following real-world practices to ensure reliable results. Sehgal emphasized that South Dakota producers, who fund the breeding program, are the real beneficiaries of the new variety, calling them “the ones who should benefit from it.”
South Dakota’s wheat production is nearly balanced between hard winter and spring wheat, with winter wheat averaging just over half of all acres grown. Both red and white hard wheats produced in the state are primarily used for bread making, contributing to the region’s agricultural strength and food supply.
Photo by: gettyimages-sveta
Categories: South Dakota, Crops, Wheat, Weather