The 2025 WSU Variety Testing Program crop tour season is already past the halfway point. It has been great getting out and meeting so many growers, scientists, and industry reps.
We have had great turnouts so far for all the tours! Growers and industry reps at the tours have been engaged with questions and comments. Major points of discussion have been market prices, the general need for more precipitation, a renewed emphasis on soft white wheat due to lower market prices for hard red wheat, the importance of varieties targeted to irrigated wheat production, and the continued interest in varieties with herbicide tolerance. We greatly appreciate all the feedback we receive. We are using it to prioritize our research and strengthen our program to better serve the growers and Washington agriculture.
We have had great presentations from Dr. Alison Thompson and Dr. Amber Hauvermale on the ongoing battle against low falling numbers. You can still catch one of their talks at the upcoming Walla Walla, Reardan, and Almira plot tours. Jesse Ford will also be giving spring canola tours at the Pullman Cook Farm, Waitsburg, and WSU Wilke Farm Field Day. Thank you to all our industry partners and fellow public institutions for collaborating on so many of these tours.
The schedule for the remaining PNW Crop Tours can be found 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. Please reach out to Karl Effertz or any of the contacts listed on the tour schedule for questions about specific plot tours.
We look forward to continuing to see you all out in the field!
For questions or comments, contact Karl Effertz via email at karl.effertz@wsu.edu.