Auburn University
Variety Testing Program
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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](https://aaes.auburn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/sites/2/2024/07/AAES-Henry-Jordan-Headshot-Square-2024.jpg)
Henry Jordan
Variety Testing Manager, Research Associate IV
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.
2022 Corn Variety Trial Entry Form
December 13, 2022 - Entry forms for the 2023 Auburn University Corn Variety Trials are now available. Entry forms are due by February 17th. Seed is due by March 1st. Entries can be submitted by region (North, Central, South). Each region has 3 trials for a total of...
Performance of Soybean Cultivars in Alabama, 2021
December 10 - Quality and seed per pound is available for all three OVTS at the Brewton Agricultural Research Unit. December 3 - Yield data is available for the Early Maturity Group 4, Regular Maturity Group 4, and Regular Maturity Group 5 sobyean OVTs at the Sand...
Performance of Field Corn Hybrids in Alabama, 2021
Novemvber 22 - Yields have been added for the Chilton, Cullman, and Marshall County, Alabama on-farm trials as well as the Giles County, TN trial. This data is avaialble on the variety selection platform only. October 28 - Yield data is available for the...
Performance of Grain Sorghum in Alabama, 2021
September 27 - Yield data and updated trial images are available for the grain sorghum OVT at the WREC. Additionally, Katelyn Kesheimer, Extension Entomologist, took anthracnose and sugar cane aphid ratings on the trial. Her ratings are available on the variety...
Southeast Alabama Winter Grazing Workshops – 2 Opportunities
There are two upcoming opportunities to attend the Winter Grazing Workshop organized by Southeast Regional Extension Agent, Rickey Hudson of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service. Tuesday, August 31, 2021 6:00PM-8:00PM Covington County Extension Office 23952 AL...
2021 Annual Row Crops Field Day – Wiregrass
Come visit the research plots at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center. A variety of researchers will give tours of their projects and answer questions. There will be mid-season crop updates from area specialists. Lunch will be provided. Friday, August 20,...