Scientists Target Hybrid and GMO Wheat to Reverse 2017 Export Decline
America lost its status as the world’s top wheat exporter in 2017, and per-capita flour consumption has fallen to a three-decade low as farmers abandon the crop over poor economics. U.S. researchers are developing hybrid wheat via advanced DNA sequencing and splicing drought-resistant traits to boost yields and profitability.
1. Decline in U.S. Wheat Exports
Since ceding the top exporter spot in 2017 to lower-cost producers, the U.S. wheat industry has faced shrinking domestic demand and a three-decade low in per-capita flour consumption, prompting farmers to rotate away from wheat as primary crop.
2. Advances in Hybrid Wheat Development
Breakthroughs in DNA sequencing are overcoming wheat’s self-pollinating biology, enabling the creation of hybrid varieties that could deliver yield improvements similar to those achieved in corn and soybeans.
3. Genetic Modification for Drought Resistance
Researchers are splicing in traits from other plants to enhance drought tolerance in wheat, addressing increasing dry spells and aiming to make the crop more profitable for growers.
4. Market and Regulatory Challenges
Despite scientific progress, major export markets such as Japan and Mexico ban GMO wheat and new federal dietary guidelines have cut recommended grain servings by up to half, creating regulatory and consumer acceptance hurdles.