COMMENTS ON GROWING CONDITIONS
                                                  2005 UEOPN
AMES, IA
The nurseries were planted early because of a mild and dry winter.  Warm weather continues
during the growing season along with adequate moisture which resulted in excellent yields and 
test weights.  Disease was not a problem in 2005.
ABERDEEN, ID
URBANA, IL
Above average temperatures with below normal soil moisture.  Heat and drought during grain fill
reduced yields and test weights.  Very little disease in yield plots.
W. LAFAYETTE, IN
We were able to seed very early, oats emerged uniformly and the growing conditions were 
excellent (cool and ample moisture) through 20 June.  The cool nights likely resulted in the oats
being shorter than normal, and there was essentially no lodging, but the oats tillered well with
large panicles--pointing to a record yield.  Then temperatures became very warm and no rain until 
after harvest on July 15, with significant soil moisture stress after July 1.  Grain fill was better
than expected, although test weights were reduced.
EAST LANSING, MI
ROSEMOUNT, MN
Season started warmer but with normal moisture, with some delay in planting.  Plot planting
date was average (mid-April).  Weather was very favorable for both plant and crown rust 
development until late into June.  Temperatures were below normal in mid-May, but soil
moisture was adequate.  Beginning in early July, temperatures warmed considerably, slowing rust
development, speeding crop development, and interfering with normal grain fill.  Season ended 
with major crown rust epidemic and poor grain-filling conditions.
WASECA, MN
Season started warmer but with normal moisture, with some delayed in field planting.  Plot
planting was close to normal.  Temperatures cooled considerably in mid-May and soil moisture
was adequate to excessive.  Temperatures returned to normal beginning in June and soil moisture
was excessive throughout June.  Temperatures were warmer than normal in July and soil 
moisture continued at least adequate.  Season ended with major crown rust epidemic and poor 
grain-filling conditions.
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BERESFORD, SD
At the Beresford location, the soil moisture conditions were excessive up to the midseason and
adequate the latter part of the season.  Temperatures were cool early; however, as the growing
season progressed growing degree units exceeded the long term average.  Lodging was observed
early in the growing season and increased as the season progressed.  Lodging was severe enough
to warrant spraying regrowth with RoundUp in order to harvest.
BROOKINGS, SD
At the Brookings location, soil moisture conditions were adequate at planting and throughout the
growing season.  Temperatures were extremely cool early; however, as the growing season
progressed growing degree units exceeded the long-term average.  Crown rust infections caused
significant yield losses for moderately susceptible and susceptible varieties and lines.  The
growing season tended to favor later maturing varieties and lines.
MADISON, WI
Planting was done at normal time into an excellent seedbed.  Decent rainfall and cooler
temperatures during the early growing season led to good germination, even stands, and much
tillering.  Then it turned very hot and dry with almost no additional rainfall recorded through
harvest, except for severe storms on July 20th and 21st that flattened the nursery.  Even so, yields
were good and test weights were acceptable.  Again, for the third year in a row, almost no crown
rust was observed, and levels of stem rust and BYDV were very light and widely scattered in the
nursery.
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