In the Pacific Northwest, potential yield and erosion control are affected by time of stand establishment of winter cereals. The objectives of this study were: 1) to investigate the effect of soil temperature on the rate of first and 70% emergence of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in the field; and, 2) develop a means of predicting the average effect of planting date on emergence at one location in eastern Oregon. Two depths of soil mulch on stubble- and bare-fallowed field plots were used to investigate the effect they have on soil temperature and on rates of first and 70% emergence. The soil was a Walla Walla silt loam (mixed, mesic Typic Haploxeroll). McDermid wheat was planted at biweekly intervals from August to November 1976 and 1977. Hudson barley was planted at similar intervals in the fall of 1976. Seeds were placed in moist soil with a deep furrow drill. Average soil temperatures were 0.5-2.0 C higher at 10 cm under the bare-fallow than under the stubble-fallow treatments, but tillage did not affect emergence rate. Regression equations of emergence rate and average 10-cm soil temperature at a nearby U.S. Weather Bureau shelter were highly significant. The equations indicated that wheat required 149 and 210 degree days above a minimum of 0.7 and 0.4 C to obtain first and 70% emergence, respectively. Barley required 92 and 159 degree days above a minimum of 6.1 and 3.5 C for first and 70% emergence, respectively. A graph of 15-year average daily 10-cm temperature from 1 August through 30 November at Moro, Ore., was used with the equation to predict: 1) the average last date of planting to obtain emergence within a specified time period; and 2) the average length of time needed for emergence when the crops are planted on a given date. The average latest time to plant and obtain 70% emergence within 14 days is the last week of September.

As continuation of the harvest time experiments with oats and barley mentioned in Report No. 1489 harvest time experiments with winter wheat, spring wheat, and winter rye were carried out in 1976-78. The harvest period lasted about 4 weeks, starting at yellow-ripeness when the water content is 25-30 per cent. Winter wheat: The largest grain yield was obtained when the harvest took place in the first half of August at the yellow-ripeness stage. A 2-3 weeks' postponement of the harvest time causes no essential yield reduction, depending, however, to some extent, on the variety. Even if, on the other hand, the harvest is only delayed until the end of the first week in September, there is a risk of considerable yield reductions averaging in these experiments about 10 hkg grain per ha, but with very great variations according to place and experimental year. As to quality characteristics, only the litre weight was essentially affected by the harvest time. The second harvest time gave the best litre weight which declined considerably at the subsequent harvests. Spring wheat: On account of the later ripening, the harvest with optimum yields falls in the latter half of August, the harvest period thereby becoming shorter than that of winter wheat. Any harvest taking place later than around September 1 gives yield reductions, on an average up to about 5 hkg grain per ha until mid-September, the variations according to place and year being, however, considerably smaller than those of winter wheat. The litre weight fell considerably through the harvest period towards the last harvest time. The other properties remained unchanged. Winter rye: On an average, the harvest in early August gave the highest grain yield, but as to yields there were no significant differences between the various harvest times. On an average, there were only inconsiderable variations according to place and experimental year. The litre weight was rising until the middle of the harvest period, and then there was a considerable decline. The grain weight was rising during the first part of the period, afterwards it remained stable. As to the baking qualities, the experiments showed that the best bread grain is obtained in winter wheat from the 2nd to 4th harvest times, in spring wheat from 1st and 2nd harvest times, and in winter rye from 1st harvest time.

Extract: In the 1979 survey, soft red winter wheat producers were personally contacted in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Farmers in these states were surveyed to obtain information on seeding, labor hired, machinery use, and other practices in soft red winter wheat production for the 1978 crop year.

Extract: As a part of the 1979 survey, hard red winter wheat producers were personally contacted in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington. Visits to farmers were made to obtain information on seeding rates, labor hired, machinery use, and other practices in hard red winter wheat production during the 1978 crop year.