1.       2005 Soft Winter Wheat data from the WSU Variety Testing nursery at the Anatone location averaged 100.7 bu/ac that and was over 10 bu/ac higher than historical 3-year average yields.

2.       Variety YIELD RANKINGS followed historical trends at this location with the historical highest yielding varieties generally performing the best in 2005.   It also appeared that newer varieties with earlier growth habit had a yield advantage over Madsen-type varieties with a moderate growth habit and definitely over varieties that had an Eltan compliment in their pedigrees.  For example, 5 of the 7 lowest yielding SWH common varieties/lines in the 2005 nursery had Eltan pedigrees (ID620, WA7934, George, Eltan, and WA7935).  In my opinion, this is not uncommon since Eltan is typically a later maturing variety and it also appears to have slower spring regrowth than other varieties.  This is an advantage in other areas of the state.  Club winter wheat varieties such as Chukar, Edwin, Coda and Rely did not perform as well as in previous years – this may also be a function of maturity differences.

3.       Stripe rust was not an issue in this soft white winter wheat nursery. 

4.       Average HEADING DATE that includes all varieties in the nursery was the same as 2004 (6 Jun).

5.       TEST WEIGHT and % PROTEIN levels were good for soft white winter wheat.