Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the successful development of a new high-quality, high-yield wheat variety, "Xinmai 26," by a research team led by Jiang Zhikai, which aims to reduce reliance on imported wheat and meet the growing demand for strong gluten wheat in China [1][10]. Group 1: Wheat Breeding Innovation - Jiang Zhikai and his team have developed "Xinmai 26," a wheat variety that combines superior gluten quality with high yield, addressing the historical challenge of balancing quality and productivity in Chinese wheat breeding [1][10]. - The breeding process took over a decade, involving extensive research and innovative methods to create a wheat variety that surpasses imported strong gluten wheat varieties like "Jiamai 2" and "Meimai DNS" [1][10][12]. Group 2: Market Demand and Supply Chain Risks - The demand for high-protein, strong gluten wheat has surged due to changing consumer preferences and rising living standards, leading to a reliance on imported wheat from countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia [3][4]. - The dependency on foreign wheat sources poses supply chain risks, prompting the research team to pursue domestic breeding solutions to ensure food security and resource independence [4][10]. Group 3: Achievements and Recognition - "Xinmai 18," another variety developed by the team, was recognized as a leading wheat variety in China from 2005 to 2008, showcasing the team's ability to produce high-quality wheat that meets national standards [5][10]. - "Xinmai 26" has become a flagship variety in the industry, achieving significant recognition and awards, including the first prize for scientific progress in Henan Province and a cumulative planting area exceeding 100 million mu, generating economic benefits of 12.6 billion yuan [13][16]. Group 4: Future Goals and Challenges - The team aims to continue advancing wheat quality by developing "super strong gluten" varieties that not only meet but exceed international standards, addressing the specific needs of the food processing industry [9][10]. - The breeding cycle for wheat is lengthy, often taking over a decade, and the pursuit of "super strong" traits may lead to challenges such as reduced yield or disease resistance, requiring resilience and innovation from the research team [11][12]. Group 5: Industry Impact and Applications - The "Xinmai" series of strong gluten wheat varieties has been widely adopted in the Huanghuaihai region, providing farmers with higher yields and better prices, thus enhancing their economic stability [14][15]. - The processed products from "Xinmai" wheat are being utilized in various high-end food applications, contributing to improved food quality and safety for consumers [15][16].

Group 1 - The national summer grain purchase has commenced, with over 17 million tons of wheat purchased, surpassing the same period last year [1] - In Henan province, a flour processing factory has an annual processing capacity of 250,000 tons of wheat, with high operational rates for newly developed high-end products [3] - Henan has initiated a minimum purchase price policy for wheat, providing strong support for the domestic wheat market due to increased flour processing rates and rising feed consumption [5] Group 2 - Orders for flour are expected to increase by 20% compared to the same period in 2024, indicating a growing demand for wheat [6] - In Dezhou, Shandong province, a flour processing enterprise is purchasing wheat at double its usual rate, with current prices at 1.24 yuan per jin, higher than nearby collection points [6] - The operating rate of small and medium-sized flour processing plants nationwide is at a three-year high, with expectations for continued strong demand for flour and high-end flour products [7]