MN-Torgy is a hard red spring wheat variety released by the University of Minnesota in 2020. MN-Torgy features a good combination of yield, protein, straw strength and disease resistance.
Key characteristics
- High yielding
- Well adapted to MN, ND and SD
- Good straw strength
- Good scab and BLS resistance
- Very good test weight and protein
Disease resistance1
Disease resistance comparison of Minnesota's top five varieties by acres in 2024. Disease resistance data is from the UMN 2025 spring wheat variety trials.
| 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-Torgy release information
U of MN Releases ‘MN-Torgy’ Wheat
The University of Minnesota has released a new hard red spring wheat variety called ‘MN-Torgy.’ MN-Torgy features a good combination of yield, protein, straw strength and disease resistance.
Jim Anderson, University of Minnesota wheat breeder, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, says: “MN-Torgy has shown its promise to perform well across the wheat growing region and its straw strength is better than most higher yielding varieties.”
Prior to its release, MN-Torgy stood out in both state and regional trials including the Uniform Regional Nurseries trials. In addition to strong yield performance, MN-Torgy has moderate overall disease resistance, with a very good rating for bacterial leaf streak (BLS) and a good Fusarium head blight rating. It is similar in height to SY-Valda with slightly better straw strength. MN-Torgy has a good rating for pre-harvest sprouting, above average protein and good test weight.
Jochum Wiersma, University of Minnesota Extension Agronomist, stresses that: “MN-Torgy’s performance in UMN field trials and NDSU trials showcase its adaptability and highlight its value.”
The release is named in honor of Dave Torgerson, a familiar name for northwest Minnesota farmers, who retired as Executive Director of both the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council and the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers in 2019.
“I was lucky to have worked for wheat growers who supported wheat research and the UMN wheat breeding program so strongly,” said Dave Torgerson. “When growers see the name it should remind them of Jim Anderson and the entire UMN breeding team who work tirelessly to develop better varieties for them.”
The support of the MN wheat organizations under Torgerson’s tenure has been instrumental in the release of other University of Minnesota spring wheat varieties: MN-Washburn (2019), Lang-MN (2017), Shelly (2016), Bolles (2015), Linkert (2013), and Rollag (2011).
Prior to being formally named, MN-Torgy was tested as MN14105-7.