2005 Hard Winter Wheat data from the WSU Variety Testing nursery at the Ritzville location averaged 52.6 bu/ac; however, stripe rust infections had a dominant role in yield reductions for many varieties.  NOTE:  The 2005 nursery was located approximately 8 miles NW of Ritzville (E. Maier farm) – the previous nursery location was approximately 8 miles SE of Ritzville (D. Wellsandt farm).  The 2005 location is located on a little lighter ground and not in as high a precipitation zone.

1. Stripe rust:  Nearly all of the stripe rust susceptible varieties that are commercially available (Buchanan, Q-542, CDC Falcon, Wanser, Weston, Hatton, Moreland) had 100% infection and were the lowest yielding varieties in the 2005 nursery.  Extremely susceptible varieties such as Moreland and Hatton had 50% to 63% lower yields, respectively, than the previous year (2004) – much of this can probably be attributed to the impact of stripe rust on these varieties in 2005.  It is worth noting that this nursery was seeded in late September 2004 and probably more prone to stripe rust infections in 2005 due to the lateness of plant maturity for this area of Ritzville.
2. Protein values averaged 11.6% for this nursery.  Total nitrogen available measured in February 2005 showed 167# N for this nursery.
3. Eltan is included in the nursery as a yield check variety because it continues to be a highly popular and adapted variety in Ritzville area.  Many of the newer HRW experimental lines show promise, both in terms of higher yield averages and stripe rust resistance.