What’s New
Be on the Lookout: Winter Grain Mite Spotted in Fields
Winter grain mites are causing damage this warm, wet winter.
Beginning the 2026 Winter Wheat Variety Trials: Maps, Plot Schematics
The maps and plot schematics for the 2026 WSU Variety Testing Program winter variety trials are available.
Grass Weed Emergence in Fall 2025
Oregon State University researchers studied how grass weeds germinate in varying weather conditions with the goal of developing predictive germination models using multi-year data.
Stripe Rust Forecast Still Indicating Severe Epidemic
Stripe rust has been found in winter wheat fields in Whitman, Lincoln, Adams, Franklin, and Walla Walla Counties.
Read article
Emerging Technologies for Making Nitrogen Fertilizer On-Farm
USDA’s Claire Phillips provides insights into emerging technologies for self-producing nitrogen fertilizer.
Beginning the 2026 Winter Wheat Variety Trials: Maps, Plot Schematics
The maps and plot schematics for the 2026 WSU Variety Testing Program winter variety trials are available.
Be on the Lookout: Winter Grain Mite Spotted in Fields
Wheat grain mites are causing damage this warm, wet winter.
Upcoming Local Educational Events from the Dryland Cropping Systems Team
Register to attend our educational events in January and February.
Stripe Rust May Reach Epidemic Levels in 2026
USDA-ARS’s Dr. Xianming Chen predicts that stripe rust may result in significant yield losses in 2026.
Aphids, Weevils, and Beetles—Oh, my!
As canola acreage in central and eastern Washington continues to increase, so does the threat of crop damage caused by common canola insect pests.
The performance of canola varieties at field scale in 2025
Results from the 2025 WSU canola variety testing trials are now available online.
Results of the 2025 Weed Control Field Studies Conducted Across Eastern Washington
The 2025 WSU Weed Control Report summarizes field studies across eastern Washington in winter wheat, pulse crops, spring canola, Kentucky bluegrass, chemical fallow, and winter wheat cropping systems.
Managing Smooth Scouringrush and Field Horsetail in Eastern Washington
Smooth scouringrush and field horsetail can be troublesome in no-till dryland cropping systems. A new factsheet that draws on over a decade of research is now available.
As Seen in the WSU Plant Diagnostic Clinic in 2025
Observed in the lab in 2025 were Physiological leaf spot, soil compaction-related issues, nutrient imbalances, Fusarium foot rot, Septoria leaf blotch, eyespot, and more.
Hello from Your New SE Washington Extension Agronomist
Introducing Morgan Menaker, the new SE Washington regional extension agronomist.
Where are the decision support tools?
Dr. Rich Koenig gives an update about why several decision support tools are unavailable.
WSU Wheat Academy Returns to Educate Wheat Growers and Crop Consultants
Registration for the sell-out education program is now open.
Determining the ROI for Precision Spray Investments
Drew Lyon passes along a new tool created at Montana State University.
Dryland farmers benefit from local gene seedbank
Dryland producers toured the gene seedbank in Pullman and learned how they benefit from the cultivars bred from WRPIS material.
It Is Not Powdery Mildew
Dr. Arron Carter quells rumors that powdery mildew is to blame for field fires this season.
Turning the Table for the Final Wheat Beat Podcast with Aaron Esser and Dr. Drew Lyon
WSU’s Aaron Esser and Dr. Drew Lyon team up for the final episode of the WSU Wheat Beat Podcast.
Feral Rye Extension Publication Updated with New Information
PNW660 was recently updated to include new information about the use of the CoAXium wheat production system and Aggressor AX herbicide for the management of feral rye.
WSU Wheat and Barley Breeders Around the Table
WSU’s wheat and barley breeders discuss the evolution of plant breeding and where they’ll focus their efforts in the future.
Low Falling Number Project Launches Webpage and New Rapid Test Instructional Video
Announcing a new webpage and instructional video for the low falling number detection and management project funded by FFAR.
New and Updated Publications
Integrated Management of Feral Rye in Winter Wheat
Updated April 2025.
Italian Ryegrass Management in Inland Pacific Northwest Dryland Cropping Systems
Current Wheat Growth FieldCam
Winter wheat has been planted at the Lind Research Station!
The Spillman fieldcam will return in spring 2026.
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Pesticide Labels Are Changing
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates pesticides because their use can affect animals and plants (or their habitat). Farmers and applicators should expect to see some new application requirements on their pesticide labels to comply with the EPA Endangered Species Act.
- What You Need to Know About Pesticides and the Endangered Species Act
- New rules for herbicide applications are coming, are you prepared?
- Pesticides and the Endangered Species Act: What You Need To Know Q&A (pdf)
- New Compliance Requirements Coming to Pesticide Labels
- Making Sense of the New EPA Mitigation Requirements for Pesticide Applicators
Tools & Calculators
Several tools and calculators have been temporarily removed to be redesigned for better accessibility and ease of use. If you don’t see the tool you’re looking for below, we have a few tools available as raw file downloads in our archive. Please subscribe to the “Smallgrains” listserv to be notified when more tools become available.
Variety Selection Tool
A preliminary edition of the Variety Selection Tool is available, although it does not contain all varieties and data yet.
This interactive tool helps wheat growers select what variety of crops to grow based on rainfall zone.
This interactive tool helps wheat growers select what variety of crops to grow based on rainfall zone.
Growing Degree Day Calculator
Estimate growing degree days based on detailed weather information from AgWeatherNet.
WSU Pesticide Information Center OnLine (PICOL) Database
Search for electronic copies (PDFs) of information from pesticide products registered in Oregon, Washington, or both.
Post-Harvest Hard Wheat Performance Evaluation
A post-harvest assessment of grain yield, protein and test weight by field or zone within the field can help you evaluate what went wrong (or right) during the crop year and inform your plans for next year.
AWN Spray Guidance Tool
Identify the most favorable times to spray for crop protection and weed management, while reducing chemical drift and human exposure. Once signed in, navigate to Models >> Human >> Spray Guidance.
