1.       2005 Soft Winter Wheat YIELD DATA from the WSU Variety Testing nursery at the Colton location averaged 154.4 bu/ac and was over 30% higher than the historical 3-year average (117.6 bu/ac).  NOTE:  The Colton nursery was located approximately 5 miles north of Colton on Becker Road (R. Druffel farm).

2.       YIELD RANKING trends among varieties at this location remained fairly consistent with the historical yield rankings; however there were more differences in 2005 vs. 3-year rankings in this nursery than at many other locations.  Average HEADING DATE was about 10 days earlier in 2005 (6 Jun 2005) compared to 2004 (16 Jun 2004).  This may have contributed to some of the variety response differences in 2005 compared to historical yield trends.

3.       Yield values for many of the varieties were extremely close, differing by less than a bushel per acre in many situations.

4.       The trend of increased PLANT HEIGHT seen in 2005 was also observed in the Colton nursery with average plant height of 41.2 inches in 2005 compared to 37.2 inches in 2004 – a 4 inch increase in 2005.  In spite of increased plant height, lodging was not a problem for the majority of varieties in this nursery. 

5.       STRIPE RUST was not an issue in this soft white winter wheat nursery.  

6.       This nursery had excellent fall 2004 growth and excellent spring 2005 regrowth.  The nursery was located in a flat (re-cropped following dry peas in 2004) with adequate fertilization and good sub-surface moisture.  Everything seemed to go right to produce bushels in this nursery in 2005.