In order to evaluate the effects of cutting timing on the accumulated temperature requirement and yield and quality of winter wheat,six cutting time treatments were conducted on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) at stages of tillering,elongation and booting in a rainfed region of the Loess Plateau.(1)When the wheat was cut before midtillering (6 tillers),no significant difference was found in the accumulated temperature requirement of crucial growth stage,about 0.9~1.5 t/hm² dry matter could be harvested for forage and the yield and quality both of regrowed grain and stubble was not significantly affected compared to uncut control;as to the wheat cut after late tillering stage (9 tillers),the accumulated temperature requirement between elongation and flowering and ripening was greatly decreased,though there was 60% more forage available than that of crops cut before midtillering,both the grain and stubble yield was significantly reduced compared with uncut control.(2)Path analysis for grain yield showed that reduction of grain yield of cut crops was due to the lower plant height and reduced spike number per unit.In a word,the most appropriate time to cut winter wheat for dualpurpose should be prior to the midtillering stage (6 tillers),ensuring the regular accumulated temperature require of crucial growth stage and the conformation stability of grain yield and quality.