The 1999 season marked the 14th season of the Southwestern Idaho Cooperative Extension Winter and Spring Small Grain Performance Trials. The trials, supported by the Idaho Wheat Commission and Idaho Barley Commission, enable the testing of public and private varieties and advanced lines under the irrigated and dryland conditions of the Treasure Valley.

Four irrigated winter wheat trials were conducted during the 1999 season. Two of the trials were planted in early or late October and two were planted in mid November for evaluation of varieties under late planted conditions.

The Parma sites may have been limited in yield due to inadequate available N. Despite excellent yields of the more productive varieties, soft white winter wheat protein averaged only 9.1% in the early planted Parma trial and 8.4% in the late planted Parma trial. These protein levels are well below those normally necessary for maximizing yields.