The irrigated lands of the Columbia Basin in the Pacific Northwest are ideal for the production of buckwheat. The rich soils, plentiful irrigation water and relatively long growing seasons provide a great environment for high yields and excellent buckwheat quality. To complement the commercial buckwheat business of McKay Seed Company and its customers, Highland Specialty Grains has a robust breeding program. It has developed the exclusive proprietary variety ‘Aoi’ for the Japanese market. Another variety that is currently being grown is ‘Midori’. Midori is a longer season, green testa variety that produces large amounts of grain. Other varieties of buckwheat which are better than those currently grown are in the breeding pipeline. Please contact Highland Specialty Grains if you are interested in growing improved varieties of buckwheat.