1.       2005 Soft Winter Wheat data from the WSU Variety Testing nursery at the Lamont location averaged 80.4 bu/ac. The 2005 Soft White Winter wheat average yields were substantially less than the 3-year average yields (106.0 bu/ac). 

2.       This nursery was seeded on 8 Sept 2004 (summer fallow ground) and had excellent emergence and early spring regrowth.  This is a nursery where precipitation was over 60% below normal until mid-May 2005 when above average rainfall made the crop.  In situations like this, the root systems and crowns of the plants were sitting in dry soil and essentially idling along until the moisture events (aka rain) happened in May.  This is speculated to have been the major cause of lower than average yields at this location.

3.       STRIPE RUST infections were not an issue in this soft white winter wheat nursery. 

4.       AVERAGE PLANT HEIGHT was about 3-inches taller than the previous year average – a trend that is being observed in the majority of other 2005 nurseries.

5.       LODGING averaged 61.0% for this nursery – most of that occurred during a heavy rain and wind storm on the weekend of 9 July 2005. 

6.       YIELD rankings tracked with historical averages in general.  Later maturing Eltan-types tended to have lower yields and associated higher levels of lodging. Among all varieties tested, yields appeared to follow a trend of reduced yield with increased lodging.  Test weight followed a similar trend.  The highest yielding varieties in the 2005 nursery in general also have the highest 3-year average yields.