COMMENTS ON THE GROWING SEASON
2008 UEOPN
AMES, IA
These tests were planted during a short break in the wet weather at Ames on April 16, 2008.  The season remained cooler and
wetter that normal through April, May & June.  Drier warmer weather in early July helped the crop mature but rain in
the last half of July hampered harvesting.  There was no lodging at Ames in these tests, and disease was minimal.  These
plots were harvested on July 30, 2008.
ABERDEEN, ID
URBANA, IL
Oats were planted into dry soil April 18.  No rainfall was received until May 14/15 when 7 inches fell.  Another 5 inches
were recorded in the 1st week of June.   The next appreciable rainfall was July 7.
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN
Nurseries were seeded March 26 – in good soil conditions and reasonably early, especially considering the rainy spring season.
Weather conditions were very favorable (cool nights and ample soil moisture) for oat crop growth and production until
early June, when, although sufficient soil moisture continued through June, day and night temperatures were too warm
for oats. By July 1, temperatures were quite high and soil moisture was limiting, reducing grain fill and test weight,
although grain yields were good – likely due to extensive tillering and large panicles that resulted from the excellent
conditions for oats earlier in the season.  Yellow dwarf disease was significant and natural infection was uniform, resulting
in very reliable disease notes from the yield nursery plots.  Crown rust and stem rust developed very late in the season
and were not significant, even on inoculated disease spreader rows.
EAST LANSING, MI
We had a cold wet spring followed by very good growing conditions.  No significant diseases.
ROSEMOUNT, MN
Season started very cool and wet so planting was delayed about 3 weeks.  Emergence was uniform and relatively quick.
A fairly severe storm early in July with some hail and considerable wind caused modest, but notable damage to plots
already headed.  Soon there after temperatures rose to above normal and precipitation was sparse for at least one month.
Crown rust was quite evident on susceptible lines and ultimately caused modest reductions in yield and grain filling for
them.
WASECA, MN
Season started very cool and wet, so planting was delayed about 3 weeks.  Season continued wet until mid June drying the soil by
early July.  Temperatures returned to normal for about 10 days in early July and then the wet period resumed by mid July.
Crown rust was severe on susceptible lines and there was considerable lodging on rusty entries as well as those more
susceptible to lodging.
BERESFORD & BROOKINGS, SD
All South Dakota locations were extremely wet at planting.  All locations had adequate soil moisture throughout the growing
season with below average temperatures.  There wasn’t any fertilizer applied to the Brookings location due to a break down.
Rain was eminent; therefore, we planted in spite of the break down.
MADISON, WI
Planting was done on 4-24-08, which was late, due to much snowmelt, early season rain and cold temperatures.
Mean temperature in April was 46.4 F with 12 days that had measurable rainfall. Total rainfall for April was 7.8 inches.
Once planting was finished these cool, wet conditions persisted until mid-June. May's mean temperature was 55.9 F
and June had a mean temperature of 67.4. Total rainfall for May and June combined was 10.7 inches. July and August
were relatively hot and dry. Harvest came late due to these early season conditions with the UEOPN on July 29 and
the UMOPN on August 7. Lodging pressure was low. Levels of rust and BYDV were moderate.