Soybean variety trial at Brewton 2020

Auburn University

Variety Testing Program

Variety selection is the most important decision a farmer can make.  If farmers want to be successful, they must ensure that they plant varieties that are well adapted.  If a farmer selects the wrong variety, the results can be catastrophic.  Typically, farmers do not have the resources to conduct variety trials in addition to their normal growing season activities.

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.

The mission of the Auburn University Variety Testing Program 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.

Henry Jordan

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 University, AL 36849

AU VARIETY SELECTION PLATFORM

Auburn University has partnered with Medius Ag to create a variety selection tool.  This tool will allow users to look at small plot variety trial data and large plot on-farm data in one location.

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 Ryegrass Varieties in Alabama, 2023-2024

March 11 - Yield results are available for the first harvest of ryegrass at the Chilton Research and Extension Center (CREC) in Clanton. February 29 - Yields are available for: Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center (GCREC) in Fairhope - Harvest 2 Wiregrass Research...

Performance of Small Grain Forages in Alabama, 2023-2024

March 11 - Yield results are available for: Wiregrass Research and Extension Center (WREC) in Headland. 2nd Harvest yields of wheat, triticale, oats, and rye Early Season yields of wheat, triticale, oats, and rye EV Smith Research Center (EVSRC) Early Season rye and...

2024 Beef & Forage Field Days

Multiple opportunities are available to visit the Auburn University Research and Extension Centers, learn from and interact with forage specialists, and see current forage/beef cattle research in person.  The dates and locations are below. Details When: March 15,...

2024 Cotton OVT Entry Form

January 12 - Entry forms for the 2024 Auburn University Official Cotton Variety Trials are now available. Entry forms are due by March 15th.  Please send Please send seed as soon as possible, preferably no later than March 31st.  Seed required:  10 lb Full Season, 10...

2024 Soybean OVT Entry Form

January 12, 2024 - Entry forms for the 2023 Auburn University Official Soybean Variety Trials (OVTs) are now available. Entry forms are due by February 29th.  Please send seed as soon as possible, preferably no later than March 31st. Seed Required:  5 lb North, 5 lb...

2024 Sorghum OVT Entry Form

January 16 - Entry forms for the 2024 Auburn University Official Grain Sorghum Variety Trials are now available. Entry forms are due by March 15th.  Please send seed as soon as possible, preferably no later than April 30th. Grain sorghum will be late-planted, behind...

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