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.
Performance of Cotton Varieties in Alabama, 2024
January 31, 2025 - On-Farm results are available. January 13, 2025 - Classing (quality) results are available for the WREC Short Season Irrigated OVT. This should be the last set of OVT results for the 2024 season. January 9, 2025 Classing (quality) results are...
Performance of Peanut Varieties in Alabama, 2024
January 29 - Peanut seed size recorded at time of harvest is available for all five OVTs. December 19 Peanut grades (quality results) are available for all 5 peanut OVTs. A summary table for loan value has been added. This is based on grade/quality results alone....
Performance of Soybeans in Alabama, 2024
December 18 - Results are available for: BARU trial management has been updated Black Belt Research & Extension Center (BBREC) in Marion Junction High IDC -Sumter Soil IDC ratings and yields were highly correlated Maturity Group 4 Maturity Group 5 Maturity Group 6...
Performance of Corn Hybrids in Alabama, 2024
December 19 - Additional fungicide, nematicide, and disease results are available from Dr. Hagan and Dr. Sikora. December 10 - Results are available for the Macon County/EVSRC On-Farm trial. December 6 - Results are available for the Henry & Pike County On-Farm...
2024-2025 Entry Forms – Forage & Grain
August 1 - Entry forms for the 2024-2025 season are available. Select the tab(s) of interest below for details and options for forage and/or grain. Seed treatments are permitted but must be labeled and accompanied with MSDS sheets. Once the entry form has been...
More 3rd Party Data – Jay, FL
Cotton, corn, and soybean variety trial results from the West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay, FL can now be incorporated into the variety selection process for Alabama stakeholders. Because both states use Medius Ag as their variety trial database...
2024 Summer Field Day Opportunities
There are multiple opportunities to visit the Auburn University Research and Extension Centers, learn from and interact with specialists, and see current research in person. The dates and locations are below.Friday, August 2 Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center...
Performance of Small Grain Varieties in Alabama, 2023-2024
July 22 - Head dates from the SMREC are available. July 2 - Results are available from Sand Mountain Research and Extension Center (SMREC) in Crossville. Wheat OVT Barley OVT - only disease ratings June 21 - Results are available for the wheat and barley OVTs...
Winter Forage Summary Tables, 2023-2024
October 10 - Forage quality results are available for the BBREC forages - ryegrass, wheat, oat, rye, and triticale. September 18 - Forage quality results are available for the SMREC oats and ryegrass. September 11 - Forage quality results are available from the CREC....
Performance of Ryegrass Varieties in Alabama, 2023-2024
October 10 - Forage quality results are available from the BBREC. September 18 - Forage quality results are available from the SMREC. September 11 - Forage quality results are available from the CREC. August 13 - Forage quality results are available from the GCREC. ...
Small Grain Summary Tables, 2023-2024
July 2 - The North Region summary is complete. Statewide summaries are updated. June 13 - The Central Region summary is complete. Please note that 2024 yields are from BBREC only. June 4 - The summaries below will provide readers with shortcuts to some of the most...
Winter Forages and Maturity, 2023-2024
Which variety(s) will transition from vegetative reproductive growth first? How long will my winter annual compete with my warm-season perennial? These are important factors to consider when overseeding a warm-season perennial pasture such as bermudagrass or...