The University of Minnesota released the MN-Rothsay hard red spring wheat variety in 2022. MN-Rothsay features a good combination of yield, protein, and disease resistance and exceptional straw strength.
Key characteristics
- Very high yields
- Excellent straw strength
- Good test weight
- Resistant to preharvest sprouting
Disease resistance1
Disease resistance comparison of Minnesota's 2024 top five varieties by acres. Disease resistance data is from 2025.
| UMN Variety | Leaf Rust | Stripe Rust2 | Stem Rust3 | Bacterial Leaf Streak4 | Other Diseases5 | Scab |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WB9590 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| MN-Rothsay | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| MN-Torgy | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| SY Valda | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| WB9479 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
¹ 1-9 scale where 1 = most resistant, 9 = most susceptible.
² Based on natural infections in 2024 at Becker.
³ CP3099A is the only variety that had significant damage due to stem rust in 2024. Ratings of other varieties is based on inoculated trials.
⁴ Bacterial leaf streak symptoms are highly variable from one environment to the next. The rating of entries may change as more data is collected.
⁵ Combined rating of tan spot, septoria, and powdery mildew.
Where to find seed
MN-Rothsay is distributed by Minnesota Crop Improvement Association members.
- Visit MCIA's Where to Buy page for a list of certified seed producers or contact MCIA at 1-800-510-6242.
- For Foundation Seed Services, contact Carl Anfinson at [email protected].
MN-Rothsay release information
University of Minnesota Releases ‘MN-Rothsay’ Wheat
The University of Minnesota has released a new hard red spring wheat variety called ‘MN-Rothsay.’ MN-Rothsay features a good combination of yield, protein, and disease resistance and exceptional straw strength.
“MN-Rothsay has straw strength comparable to Linkert but has about 10% higher grain yield,” says Jim Anderson, University of Minnesota wheat breeder in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics. “The exceptional straw strength of Linkert was largely responsible for its 5-year reign from 2016-2020 as the most popular variety in the state. We expect MN-Rothsay’s higher grain yields, which are comparable or higher than other popular varieties, and improved disease resistance compared to Linkert will be attractive to growers and increase wheat productivity.”
Prior to being formally named, MN-Rothsay was tested as MN15005-4. The line stood out in both state and regional trials including the Uniform Regional Nurseries trials where it finished 2nd in grain yield out of 33 experimental entries in 2018, 8th out of 34 in 2019, and had the best straw strength of all entries in both years.
Jochum Wiersma, University of Minnesota Extension Small Grains Specialist, stresses, “The value growers place of straw strength can not be overstated, making MN-Rothsay the logical choice to replace Linkert in the U’s line-up.”
The new release is named in honor of the city of Rothsay, MN, which is an area of the state with a long history of wheat production.