2005 Soft Winter Wheat data from the WSU Variety Testing nursery at the Walla Walla, WA location (approx. 10 miles SW of Waitsburg on Lower Waitsburg Rd- T & J Beechinor Farm) averaged 104.0 bu/ac. The 2005 Soft White Winter wheat average yields were 21% lower than the historical 3-year average yields (131.4 bu/ac); HOWEVER, this is a different location than previous years and that would influence 2005 yields comparisons with 3-year historical average yields.  The comparative ranking by yield of varieties (high to low) in 2005 was very consistent with historical yield rankings.

1. Stripe rust was generally not an issue in this soft white winter wheat nursery.  It was present; however, high temperature – adult plant resistance limited infection.
2. Heading dates were similar to 2004.
3. LODGING was severe for many varieties in this nursery. (It is worth noting that lodging in some varieties is enhanced in plots when a variety severely prone to lodging, such as Edwin, that fall into the adjacent variety.)  In this nursery there was a fairly strong trend of lower test weights associated with high lodging percentages. 
4. A common comment heard this year was increased plant height in winter wheat.  Plant height in the Walla Walla soft white winter wheat nursery averaged 42.2 inches compared to 39.5 inches in 2004 for all varieties.  In general, it appeared that all varieties were 2-3 inches taller in 2005.  One suggested reason I give for this is that heavy precipitation in May followed with fairly cool growing conditions during the month of June 2005 favored tiller development and elongation – we didn’t have any blazing hot periods with high sun intensity during June to hold plants back.  The taller plants developed weaker stems and there was a lot of heavy grain in the heads (spikes) to tip plants over.  Rain and wind storms in early July enhanced the lodging problem.
5. Varieties seemed to perform similar to historical averages.  It is difficult to find any specific trends other than (1) varieties less prone to lodging appeared to have had higher average yields and (2) some of the earlier and faster growing varieties may not have adapted as well in 2005 with the dry spring followed by wet May 2005 growing conditions.