🌾 USDA ARS · USDA NASS · Dr. Xiwen Cai — GRAIN & OILSEED SCIENCE · SF9

🌾 Grain & Oilseed Science

Fusarium Head Blight risk modeling — WGC002 yield advantage — grain quality index — variety selection — harvest timing. Grounded in peer-reviewed research by Dr. Xiwen Cai, Research Geneticist, USDA ARS Hard Winter Wheat Genetics Research Unit, Lincoln, NE. Dr. Cai developed WGC002 germplasm carrying the Fhb7 gene — a breakthrough in Fusarium Head Blight resistance for wheat and small grain producers. Supporting USDA Priority 3 — protecting agriculture from invasive species and disease pressure across the American wheat belt.

🦠 FHB Disease Risk Index

Model SF9-S.001 · Dr. Xiwen Cai, USDA ARS · Fusarium Head Blight

Estimate Fusarium Head Blight (scab) disease pressure based on environmental conditions and crop growth stage. Supports fungicide timing and variety selection decisions.

Crop growth stage

Avg temperature during anthesis (°F) Optimal FHB infection: 59–77°F (15–25°C)

Hours of leaf wetness or rainfall (hrs/day)

Relative humidity at anthesis (%)

Variety resistance level

🌿 WGC002 Yield Advantage

Model SF9-S.002 · Dr. Xiwen Cai, USDA ARS · Fhb7 Gene Germplasm

Estimate the yield and quality advantage of WGC002 germplasm (carrying the Fhb7 FHB-resistance gene developed by Dr. Xiwen Cai, USDA ARS Lincoln, NE) compared to conventional susceptible varieties under disease pressure.

Conventional variety yield (bu/acre)

FHB epidemic pressure

Wheat price ($/bu) Auto-populates from USDA NASS live data above

Acres planted

⚖ Grain Protein & Quality Index

Model SF9-S.003 · USDA GIPSA · Wheat Quality Council

Score grain quality based on protein content, test weight, moisture, and DON (deoxynivalenol / vomitoxin) mycotoxin levels. Supports marketing, blending, and elevator delivery decisions.

Grain type

Protein content (%) HRW target: 11.5%+ | HRS target: 13%+ | Durum: 12%+

Test weight (lb/bu) USDA #1 standard: 60 lb/bu for wheat

Moisture content (%)

DON / Vomitoxin (ppm) — enter 0 if not tested FDA action level: 2 ppm (human food) / 10 ppm (livestock)

🌟 Variety Selection Score

Model SF9-S.004 · USDA ARS · Multi-Trait Index

Calculate a weighted multi-trait selection score to compare wheat varieties. Weights yield potential, FHB resistance, protein content, drought tolerance, and winter hardiness for your specific production environment.

Yield potential score (1–10)

FHB / scab resistance score (1–10) WGC002 (Fhb7) = 9–10 | Susceptible = 1–3

Protein / end-use quality score (1–10)

Drought tolerance score (1–10)

Winter hardiness score (1–10)

Priority: yield vs disease resistance

⏱ Harvest Timing Optimizer

Model SF9-S.005 · USDA ARS · Moisture & Quality Optimization

Determine optimal harvest window based on grain moisture, weather forecast, and drying cost vs field loss risk. Balances harvest loss, drying cost, and quality preservation.

Current grain moisture (%) Target harvest moisture: 13.5% (no drying) or 15–18% (dryer)

Expected days until dry-down to 14%

Risk of pre-harvest loss (weather / lodging)

Grain value ($/bu)

Estimated acres

Drying cost (¢/bu per point of moisture removed) Typical range: 3¢–6¢/bu per moisture point

🌾 About SF9 Grain & Oilseed Science

SF9 delivers five peer-reviewed scientific models for wheat, grain, and oilseed producers, plant breeders, and USDA Extension advisors. Built on research by Dr. Xiwen Cai, Research Geneticist at the USDA ARS Hard Winter Wheat Genetics Research Unit in Lincoln, NE, SF9 focuses on Fusarium Head Blight risk modeling, the yield advantage of WGC002 germplasm (Fhb7 gene), and grain quality optimization. These calculators support USDA Priority 3 — protecting agriculture from invasive disease pressure across the American wheat belt. Part of AgrStak’s 431-model platform, patent pending.