Variety Information

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How a variety is chosen for testing

 The trials for the statewide testing program are composed of standard and newly released varieties, as well as near release (experimental) lines. Most of the varieties are derived from breeding programs in PNW (Idaho, Oregon, Washington) and have been bred for the region. However "vicinity of program" isn't a pre-requisite to be included in the trials. 

Varieties entered in the program must meet at least one of the criteria below:

Public breeders may enter varieties free of charge. Private companies can enter varieties for fee. If you are interested in entering a variety please follow the link on the home page or

            Factors to Consider when Selecting Varieties

While yield often is the key factor in variety selection, other characteristics also can be of importance. As you look through the data tables in this publication, you will discover that yield performance of recently released varieties is quite often similar. Rarely do we find one variety that consistently outyields all others. This is not surprising, since intensive breeding efforts have improved the yield potential and stability of grains in general. What this means to you is that factors other than yield can receive greater attention as you select varieties to grow on your farm. The following criteria should be considered as you think about variety selection.

Height and Lodging. Varieties differ in height and lodging resistance. Though generally correlated, taller varieties do not necessarily have poorer lodging resistance. Lodging reduces grain yield and quality and can significantly increase harvest costs. As soil fertility levels increase, stiffer-strawed varieties should be used. You also should pay careful attention to both timing and rate of fertilizer applications and irrigation, when used.

Disease/Stress Resistance. Diseases can be a major production problem; however, type of disease and disease pressure varies from location to location and from year to year. Select cultivars with resistance or tolerance to the diseases and stresses commonly found in your area. Barley yellow dwarf virus and leaf rust are the most common diseases of spring grains. Russian wheat aphid has devastated spring grain crops, especially late planted crops, in production areas east of the Cascade Mountains. None of the currently available spring wheats, barleys, or triticales has resistance to Russian wheat aphid, but oats are immune. Gaucho seed treatment insecticide shows promise for aphid suppression. Barley stripe rust is a newer disease of barley and can dramatically reduce yield if infestations occur early in the growing season. To date, this disease has only been of economic significance in the Klamath Basin and western Oregon. Resistant varieties are being bred. Orca and Chinook are the first of many resistant varieties soon to be available. If you are growing a susceptible variety, Baytan seed treatment and foliar fungicides may be necessary in areas where the disease is prevalent. Consult your local agricultural extension agent.

Maturity. As a group, barleys mature earlier than other grains; oats later. However, varieties differing in rate of maturity exist within each grain type. Early maturing varieties may avoid yield and quality reductions caused by heat or drought in late summer. Later maturing varieties may yield more when moderate temperatures and favorable moisture conditions persist into late summer; however, stem rust and other diseases favored by warm weather may become a problem. Choose varieties with a maturity that matches your environment and cropping needs.

Intended Use. Barley varieties are classified either as feed or malting types. Feed types generally have a higher protein content than malting types. Those listed as malt types have been approved by the American Malting Barley Association (AMBA). Oats are used as animal feed, for cover crop, and as human food. Some varieties are better suited for specific end uses than others. Otana, Monida and Border are preferred food-type oats. Most oat varieties can be used for forage. Soft white wheats, both common and club, have occupied more than 95 percent of Oregon's wheat acreage in recent years. Hard red wheats most often are grown in irrigated areas, but spring dryland production is increasing. Triticales are grown for forage and feed grain use.

Grain Quality. Test weight (bushel weight) is a price-determining factor in the marketplace. Choose varieties with good test weight records. All PNW released varieties meet minimum quality standards established by PNW breeders, but suitability for different end use applications can vary. Premiums for low protein soft white wheat have been paid in recent years. Varieties differ in genetic protein percent potential. Spring grains, as a rule, have higher protein levels than winter grains. This is likely due to environmental rather than genetic causes.

Yield Potential. Yield potential varies from variety to variety and, for a variety, from one area and from one year to another. Yield potential is a genetic trait but is moderated by other factors such as disease and stress tolerance. To evaluate the yield potential of a variety, review data from test sites with an environment similar to that in your area. Where possible, compare performance over several years, as a single year's data can be misleading.

Variety Descriptions

Detailed descriptions are provided for the varieties listed. An extensive list of varieties with a brief description of each can be found at the following linked sites. 

Winter Wheat, Barley and Triticale

Spring wheat and Barley

The following links will take you to variety descriptions.