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Introduction

DESERT DURUM® wheat is usually produced under contract, sold and delivered "identity preserved" to both domestic and export markets. The "identity preserved" system has allowed buyers to select varieties specific to their needs. The phrase "Desert Durum" has been trademarked with the U.S. patent office under the ownership of the Arizona Grain Research and Promotion Council and the California Wheat Commission. Only durum wheat produced in the states of Arizona and California can use the DESERT DURUM® trademark.

DESERT DURUM® wheat is produced under irrigation in the desert valleys and lowlands of Arizona and California. These are regions of high temperatures (May-June temperatures average 32C) and low rainfall (annual precipitation averages less than 200 mm). DESERT DURUM® wheat is planted December through February and harvested in May and June. It enters the market up to three months ahead of durum harvested in other northern hemisphere durum-producing areas.

In order to provide useful information to durum buyers, the data presented in this report are from samples that were traceable to known quantities of grain of each variety. A USDA agriculture statistician was consulted to determine sampling technique and at least 80% of the crop was sampled. Thus, the data are intended to characterize the 1999 crop as a whole and by variety.

The milling, semolina, and pasta analyses were conducted at the California Wheat Commission wheat quality laboratory. The laboratory staff works closely with breeding companies and buyers to provide an accurate assessment of current crop quality and breeding material. The Arizona Grain Research and Promotion Council has supported the laboratory through cooperative equipment purchases and marketing efforts.

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