COMMENTS ON THE GROWING SEASON
2012 UMOPN
LACOMBE, ALBERTA
At Lacombe, seeding time was normal, seed went into good moisture, there was good uniform emergence. 
But the remainder of the growing season was quite dry, we were down about 100 mm from usual for most of
the summer which resulted in a lot more disease in the plots.  As a result yields and quality were down.
WINNIPEG, MANATOBA
The seed went into adequate soil moisture at Glenlea this spring.   July and August were hot and dry
resulting in premature ripening and low yields.
OTTAWA, ONTARIO
The trial was seeded on April 3, the earliest ever. After seeding, there were 2-3 weeks rainy and cold days 
followed by prolonged dry weather till harvest. There was no disease or lodging.
SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN
Seeding occurred in good time, but there was excessive soil moisture which make seeding difficult. Stand 
establishment was good and growing conditions throughout the year were good. Between May 1 and
September 30 the Saskatoon area received 9.1" of precipitation and 1511 growing degree days (base 5C). 
The 30 year average for Saskatoon is 9.5" of precipitation and 1523 growing degree days. In addition, there 
was extremely strong crown rust pressure on the plots which adversely affected (to a very significant degree) lines
with no or little resistance. Harvest conditions were very good, with no significant interruptions due to rain. No 
frost was received prior to harvest.
URBANA, IL
The season was very early and got progressively hotter and drier as the season progressed.
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN
We planted the UEOPN on March 7 and the UMOPN on March 14. Planting dates usually are around
March 20. We had an early, warm spring that was very favorable for the oats. They were able to put on
most of their growth prior to the heat and drought conditions later in June. Even the latest maturing oats 
flowered on May 31 of this year and almost 2 weeks ahead of 2011. We did have good rust pressure
later in the season but the grain had very good quality.
EAST LANSING, MI
Very hot March and freezing in April followed by drought.
ST. PAUL, MN
Early planting was followed by excess moisture early in the first half of the growing season.  After pollination,
hot and dry conditions prompted early harvest with very little rust development
MORRIS, MN
Favorable conditions for most of the growing season resulted in record overall plot yields.  Very little
rust pressure also made for excellent looking plots both in the field and on paper.
ITHACA, NY
The growing season averaged about 4.5 degrees warmer than normal and rainfall was five inches below
 average rainfall with a total of 11.26 inches for the growing season in Ithaca.
CARRINGTON, ND
The Carrington nursery was planted April 23 with adequate soil moisture to result in uniform 
emergence and early plant development.  Hot, dry conditions persisted through the growing season 
producing reduced grain yield and test weight.  Diseases were not a factor.
FARGO, ND
The Fargo nursery was planted April 25 into a dry surface layer of soil that resulted in uneven 
germination and plant development.  Adequate subsoil moisture supported good growth of plants 
with roots that penetrated the dryer surface layer and accessed the subsoil water but resulted in 
uneven plot development.  Little effective rainfall occurred during the growing season accompanied
by unusually hot conditions reduced yield potential.  Rust diseases were not a factor.
MINOT, ND
The Minot nursery was planted April 26 into a seed bed with adequate moisture to result in uniform 
germination and emergence.  Timely rainfall and good subsoil moisture allowed good plant 
development. Excessive heat during the growing season hastened maturity and somewhat reduced grain yield 
potential.  Some crown rust developed late in the season, but did not seem to affect grain production.
BROOKINGS, SD
We had good moisture at planting and with adequate moisture throughout the growing season except for
Beresford which was extremely dry.  We also got hit hard with bacterial infections at the Brookings and 
Beresford locations.  With the lack of stem rust and crown rust at these locations, the data should be useful in 
identifying bacterial resistance levels.
MADISON, WI
Planting was done on April 6. Germination looked good with even stands. In early May a wave of 
leafhoppers migrated through the region and spread Aster Yellows (AY) throughout the trials at Madison
and Arlington. Outlying stations were not as badly hit. Since AY is not a common disease here, it created  
created much symptomology and growth retardation, i.e. a lack of tillering. Just as plants were 
rebounding from this event we got into a bad drought that lasted 6 weeks, combined with very high
high temperatures during late June and July. Aprils mean temperature was 47.0 F with 2.3 inches of 
of rain. Mean temperature for May was 62.7 F and we had 2.8 inches of rainfall. High temperatures 
began in June, which had a mean temperature of 71.6 F with 0.87 inches of rain. July and August 
stayed hot with less than adequate rainfall.  July’s mean temperature was 78.3 F (13 days of highs
above 90.0 F) and August had a mean temperature of 70.0 F. Total rainfall for July and August combined
combined was 5.7 inches. The UEOPN was harvested on July 11th and the UMOPN on July 17th. 
The high temperatures and disease pressure caused yields and bushel weights to be low. Lodging 
pressure was light. Levels of CRS and BYDV were low.