WSU: 2025 Shaping Up To Be A Challenging Year For Stripe Rust

Based on the weather data of November and December, stripe rust in the upcoming wheat growing season is predicted to be in the range of severe epidemic level (40-60% yield loss on susceptible varieties).  Researchers at Washington State University said highly susceptible winter wheat varieties are predicted to have potential yield losses in the range of 27%-57% with an average of 41%.  The predicted severe epidemic level is attributed to the relatively warm weather in these two months.

Based on the potential epidemic level, commercially grown varieties are predicted to have 0 to 29% yield losses depending upon the level of resistance or susceptibility of individual varieties.  WSU’s next forecast will be made in early March, and will be based on data from the entire winter.

According to the current forecast, fields grown with moderately susceptible (MS, ratings 6 and 7) or susceptible (S, ratings 8 and 9) winter wheat varieties may need the early fungicide application at the time of herbicide application.  Resistant (ratings 1 and 2) and moderately resistant (ratings 3 and 4) spring wheat varieties should be selected to plant, and variety with MS and S ratings (6 – 9) should be avoided.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com