Abstract Soft red winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.; SRWW) is a major crop in the US southeast (SE) region. However, growing successful wheat crop is challenged by many stresses resulting in substantial losses in yield and quality. To alleviate these challenges, developing new cultivars with high yield potential with resistance to major pests in the region and good quality is warranted. This constitutes the major goal of the SRWW breeding programs ate the University of Georgia (UGA) and the regional institutions including the southern universities GRAINS (SUNGRAINS) programs. ‘GA09436‐16LE12’ (Reg. no. CV‐1209, PI 700011) SRWW cultivar was among the adapted wheat developed and released by the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in 2019. While GA09436‐16LE12 is generally adapted to the US SE region, it specifically well fit to the Georgia environments. It has high yield, very good resistance to most dominant diseases including leaf (caused by Puccinia triticina Erikss.) and stripe (caused by P. striiformis Westend.) rusts; powdery mildew (caused by Erisyphe graminis ); and Soil‐borne wheat mosaic virus . GA09436‐16LE12 has improved Fusarium head blight (caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe) which is reflected in lower levels of Deoxynivalenol toxin and Fusarium damaged kernels levels. It also showed moderate field resistance to Hessian fly [ Mayetiola destructor (Say)] although it is susceptible to the biotypes B, C, O, and L. GA09436‐16LE12 has good grain volume weight and good milling and baking quality as a SRWW.