Oats will likely yield better than barley and is less susceptible to Russian Wheat Aphid and barley stripe rust. This is a new disease on winter wheat in southern Idaho. Thus far it has been identified only on the Fort Hall reservation and only on a few fields in this area. Symptoms include long yellow stripes on leaves and continuing down into the leaf sheath and generally a necrotic strip within this area. Infected plants may ripen prematurely and have some heads stunted.
Damage can be severe.
Growers that suspect they may have this disease should send samples to their county educator, a UI research center, or to Bob Forster at Kimberly. In much of the irrigated areas, we will soon be ready to shut water off of wheat and barley. Both crops use considerable less water as the crop matures. Our general guideline is that if the soil is well watered at soft dough, no additional irrigation is needed. Sandy soils may need additional water.