2003 Southwest Idaho Winter and Spring Small Grain Variety Performance
The 2003 season marked the 19th season of the Southwestern Idaho Cooperative Extension Winter and Spring Small Grain Performance Trials. The trials, supported by the Idaho Wheat Commission and Idaho Barley Commission, enable the testing of public and private varieties and advanced lines under the irrigated and dryland conditions of the Treasure Valley. The season was characterized by a cool fall, mild winter and then above normal temperatures during grain filling, especially for spring plantings. Mild temperatures in winter and early spring increased tillering of fall planted cereals and hastened maturity. Earlier heading enabled fall planted nurseries to avoid some of the higher temperatures during grain filling. Higher temperatures during grain fill reduced the duration of grain fill, yields and test weight of spring plantings.
Winter Trials
Four irrigated winter wheat trials were conducted during the 2003 season. Two of the trials were planted in October (Parma R &E Center on Oct 25 and Weiser on October 17) and two in mid November (Parma R& E Center November 12 and Grandview November 15) to evaluate variety performance under both early and late planting conditions.
One dryland site was planted October 24 Northeast of Weiser. In contrast to former years, the early planted trial at Parma was less productive than the later planted trial. Soft white winter wheat protein values averaged low for the trial planted at Parma indicating that inadequate N may have limited production despite yields that were better than average.
Spring Trials
Three irrigated spring trials were planted at Parma on March 14, Weiser on March 11, and Kuna on March 13.
Specialty Barley Performance
In addition to the normal extension trials involving hulled feed and malting types, a spring planted trial was conducted involving barley lines with special or unique traits such waxy, hull-less, or low phytate content. A research report is available for the 2003 results.
2003 Individual site year performance