Leaf rust has begun to develop in the Willamette Valley late in the season, but will likely cause little yield reduction. In recent years, leaf rust has been reduced due to the presence of Septoria lesions and because fungicides applied for Septoria control also are effective against rust. The next most popular cultivar is Madsen, due to its resistance to eyespot, Cephalosporium stripe, and Septoria. The cultivar Rod is likely to increase in popularity due to its high and consistent yield potential and moderate resistance to Cephalosporium stripe. Barley stripe rust seems to be well established in the Klamath Basin, but not yet in eastern Oregon.
Progress continues on development of resistant barley cultivars.
Warren Kronstad will be retiring within the next 1.5 years. Cindy Ocamb has joined OSU as the new plant pathology specialist in charge of field and vegetable crops. Good seedbed moisture allowed for good crop establishment at appropriate times. There was an October snowfall that stayed on the ground for 150 days, which ties the previous record for snow cover. Eltan is grown widely in snowmold country, and the crop is looking pretty good.