To maximize acceptance, new hard red spring wheat (HRSW; Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars require high agronomic and end-use quality as well as good disease resistance. The objective of this research was to release a HRSW cultivar with competitive grain yield, grain volume weight (GVW), and grain protein concentration (GPC), and several competitive end-use quality characteristics and acceptable levels of resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) [caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe; telomorph Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch]. 'Forefront' (Reg. No. CV-1082, PI 664483) HRSW was developed at South Dakota State University (SDSU) and released by the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (SDAES) in February 2012. The cross FN1700-155/FN1500-074//'Walworth' (PI 630938) was made during spring 2001. Both FN1700-155 and FN1500-074 are unreleased experimental breeding lines developed by the SDSU-HRSW breeding program. Walworth was released by the SDAES in fall 2000. The population was advanced via an early-generation bulk-testing program where F4:6 seed was included in the 2005 preliminary yield trial and the line was designated SD3997. SD3997 also was tested in the advanced yield trial from 2006 through 2011. Forefront was released for its combination of high yield potential, GVW, GPC, and high bread loaf volume in conjunction with low four ash content and deoxynivalenol accumulation than other HRSW cultivars developed by the SDSU-HRSW breeding program. Crop Science Society of America.
