Variety Testing
Auburn University Official Variety Testing ProgramResearch /
Variety evaluation is also critical to plant breeders, both from universities and industry. Prior to releasing a new variety, these breeders typically evaluate their lines in independent variety trials. This ensures that they have unbiased data from multiple years and locations to support the release of their new variety.
OVT Mission
The mission of the Auburn University Official Variety Testing Program (OVT) is to provide research-based, unbiased results on the performance of various crop hybrids, cultivars, and varieties to the agricultural community in Alabama. We are intent on conducting these trials in a manner that will result in maximum biological yield through methods common to the top-producing farms in Alabama.
We are committed to providing this information in a timely manner for its use during the decision-making process. The success of the program rests on our ability to help Alabama producers provide a safe, dependable source of food and fiber for all families as well as an economic sustainability for theirs.
Variety Categories
Corn
Cotton
Soybean
Peanut
Small Grains
Small Grain Forages
Ryegrass
Grain Sorghum
Sesame
Variety Testing Team
Frequently Asked Questions
Using the Variety Selection Tool
Contact
Henry Jordan
Variety Testing Manager, Research Associate IV
Department of Crop, Soil & Environmental Sciences
201 Funchess Hall (USPS)
1031 South Donahue Dr (FedEx & UPS)
Auburn Univ, AL 36849
Subscribe to AU Variety Testing Updates
Annually, the Auburn University Variety Testing Program conducts trials on corn, cotton, soybeans, peanuts, grain sorghum, wheat, barley, oats, triticale, small grain forages, and ryegrass.
Trials are conducted on Auburn University owned and operated agricultural research stations across the major geographical regions of the state. The research conducted at each of these locations can provide stakeholders with data that can be more representative of their growing conditions.
Contest: 2026 Auburn OVT Wheat Picks
Think you can predict the top‑performing wheat varieties in Alabama? Enter the 2026 OVT Wheat Picks challenge and choose your top picks for Alabama. Anyone can participate. Bragging rights are on the line! Contest Rules: One entry per participant. Duplicate entries...
2026 Soybean OVT Entry Form
January 15 - The 2026 Auburn University Official Soybean Variety Trials (OVTs) entry forms are now available. Entry Forms Due by February 28th. Entries can be submitted in 4 categories (North, Central, South, RKN Screening, Early MG4) Seed Please send seed as...
2026 Peanut OVT Entry Form
January 15 - For the 2026 season, peanuts will be tested in 4 locations for a total of 5 trials. Trials will be planted in 4-row plots and will require 15,000 kernels of seed. Due to space, the number of entries is limited. Entry Forms Please submit as soon...
2026 Grain Sorghum OVT Entry Form
January 15 - The 2025 Auburn University Official Grain Sorghum Variety Trials (OVTs) entry forms are now available. Entry Forms Due by February 28th. Statewide, there are a total of 3 Grain Sorghum OVTs, non-irrigated, planted at 55K seed per acre. Seed Seed...
2026 Cotton OVT Entry Forms
January 15 - The 2025 Auburn University Official Cotton Variety Trials (OVTs) entry forms are now available. Entry Forms Due by March 3rd. Entries can be submitted by category (Full Season, Short Season, Conventional) Statewide, there are a total of 23 OVTs....
Performance of Winter Forages in Alabama, 2025-2026
January 16 - EVSRC ryegarss harvest 1 results are now available.January 9 -The first yield results for the 2025-2026 season are available from the EV Smith Research Center (EVSRC) in Tallassee - wheat, oats, triticale, and rye. Harvest 1 of the EVSRC ryegrass was...
2026 Corn OVT Entry Form
January 15 - Please submit corn entry forms ASAP! January 6 - The 2026 Auburn University Official Corn Variety Trials (OVTs) entry forms are now available. Non-BT (refuge) entries are encouraged and will be evaluated at no charge when accompanied by a paying entry....
Performance of Sesame in Alabama, 2025
December 4 - Plant heights are now available from the WREC trial.November 25 - Preliminary results are available for the three sesame OVTs.
Performance of Cotton Varieties in Alabama, 2025
January 8 Results are available for the following on-farm trials conducted by Extension (variety selection tool only). Autauga County Baldwin County - Sirmon Cherokee County - Lindsey Full Season Short Season Dale County Escambia County Henry County (WREC) Lawrence...
2025 Black Belt Beef & Forage Field Day
Join us for the 2025 Beef & Forage Field Day, a premier event for livestock and forage producers across Alabama! Hosted by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, this free, hands-on field day will showcase the latest in forage management, cutting-edge research,...
Performance of Grain Sorghum in Alabama, 2025
September 18 - Results for the Late Planted OVT at the Wiregrass Research & Extension Center (WREC) in Headland are available.September 12 - Results for the Early Planted OVT at the EV Smith Research Center (EVSRC) in Shorter are available. August 22 - The first...
Performance of Corn Hybrids in Alabama, 2025
November 25 – Results are now available for the Cullman County on-farm corn trial.November 13 – Quality results are available for the SMREC OVT. October 28 - Yield results are available for the following trials. SMREC Non-Irrigated OVT Houston County On-Farm October...