The 2025 WSU Variety Testing Program Crop Tour schedule is now available on the WSU Small Grains website. Before each tour, be sure to check the CSS events calendar and the Small Grains event calendar for any changes or feel free to reach out to the contacts listed below for specific tour information.
Many of the traditional tours put on by the WSU Extension Dryland Cropping Systems Team are once again on the schedule, including the WSU Weed Tour, the Lind Experiment Field Day, and the WSU Wilke Farm Field Day.
Small grains tours will be led by Dr. Karl Effertz, lead technician for WSU Variety Testing. Karl grew up on a small grain farm and cattle ranch north of Bismarck, North Dakota and did his graduate work with Dr. Bob Brueggeman at WSU. Contact him with questions or suggestions; his contact information is listed below.
Tours will feature plant breeders and representatives from public and private sector breeding programs, other industry stakeholders, and members of the WSU Extension Dryland Cropping Systems Team. The trial in Eureka, Washington is managed by the Oregon State University Cereal Variety Testing Program. The trial at Douglas suffered severe injury from snow mold, though we plan a tour in Douglas County on June 13 with the time and location to be determined.
Some new additions to the schedule this year include spring canola tours to complement the small grains tours at Mayview, Cook Farm (Pullman), and Waitsburg. These will be led by Jesse Ford. Drs. Alison Thompson and Amber Hauvermale will be giving presentations about falling numbers research and an update on the QuickScan test at Douglas, Harrington, Mayview, Walla Walla, Reardan, and Almira.
We look forward to seeing new faces (and old ones!) at the tours, and welcome everyone to come join and discuss variety performance and future directions of the WSU Variety Testing Program!
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication or program information or reasonable accommodation need to contact the coordination person at the telephone number listed at least two weeks prior to the event. Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.
For questions or comments, contact Karl Effertz via email at karl.effertz@wsu.edu.