Organic agriculturists expressed the need for adaptation studies to land grant scientists at North Dakota State University (NDSU), beginning in 2000. In response, a limited number of modern spring wheat and oat cultivars were compared in MN and ND in 2001. Funds provided by the Organic Farming Research Foundation and the Wheat Subcommittee of the North Dakota State Board of Agricultural Research and Education allowed expansion of this effort in 2002.

The objectives of this project were to:

i. Determine if modern spring wheat, oats, and barley cultivars are better adapted than old cultivars to organic environments.

ii. Determine if natural adaptation occurs after small-grain cultivars are introduced into organic environments.

iii. Identify growth traits and agronomic characteristics that result in superior cultivar performance in organic environments.