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Abstract
This paper quantifies advances of the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station (KAES)
wheat breeding program for two time periods: (1) 1911 to 2006 and (2) 1977 to 2006. Using
multiple regression, increases in yields of wheat varieties grown in Kansas are quantified,
holding growing conditions and other improvements in productivity constant. Differences
in KAES variety yields and those released by other public and private breeders are
quantified. During the ‘‘new age’’ of wheat breeding (1977–2006), wheat breeding alone is
found to have increased yields by 6.182 bushels per acre, or an average increase of 0.206
bushels per year.