Variety Tests
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 Soybeans in Alabama, 2023
December 5 Yield results are available for the three soybean trials conducted at the Sand Mountain Research and Extension Center (SMREC) in Crossville. November 30 Yield results are available for the 8 soybean trials conducted at the Black Belt Research and...
2023 Soybean Summary Tables
December 5 All yields for the 2023 season are in and summary tables are complete. December 1 Summary tables are provided through the variety selection platform only. North Region & Early Planted MG 4 tables will be updated as additional data becomes available....
2023 Soybean Iron Chlorosis Ratings – Black Belt REC
November 30 - Yields have been uploaded for the Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (IDC) trials conducted at the Black Belt Research and Extension Center. MG4 - Shatter ratings were highly correlated to yield. MG5 - IDC ratings were highly correlated to yield. MG6 - Neither...
2023 Peanut On-Farm Trials
November 27 - Yield and quality results are available on the variety selection platform for the 7 on-farm trials conducted by Peanut Extension Specialist, Kris Balkcom. Statistical differences by variety (Top Yield Group) were noted in two trials, Lee & Baldwin...
2023 Cotton OVT Summaries
November 20 Summary tables are provided through the variety selection platform only. As additional data (yield or quality) becomes available, tables will update. The Conventional OVT summary is complete. The North AL Full Season summary is complete. For any summary...
Performance of Grain Sorghum in Alabama, 2023
February 3 - Yield results are available for the Henry County on-farm grain sorghum trial. November 20 - Yield results are available for the Walker County on-farm grain sorghum trial. September 21 - Yield results are available for the grain sorghum OVT conducted at...
2023 On-Farm Soybean Variety Trials
February 3 - Yield results are available for the Geneva County on-farm soybean trial. October 31 - Yield results are available for the Lawrence County on-farm soybean trial. October 25 - Yield results are available for the on-farm soybean trial conducted in Macon...
2023 On-Farm Corn
October 20 - Yields for the Baldwin County on-farm trial have been updated. October 14 - Yield results are available for the on-farm corn trial conducted in Cullman County. October 13 - Yield results are available for the on-farm corn trial conducted at the EV Smith...
2023 Corn Summary Tables
October 13 - Statewide summary tables are complete. September 14 - The summary table for the Central Region is now available below. September 1 - Since yield results from both South Region OVT locations are complete, the first summary table of the season is available...
Performance of Corn Hybrids in Alabama, 2023
October 13 Yield results are available for the non-irrigated corn OVT conducted at the Sand Mountain Research and Extension Center (SMREC) in Crossville. Excessive corn earworm pressure was noted. Yields were low, and data was variable. Yields have been excluded...
2022-2023 Winter Forage Summary Tables
September 14 Quality data from Clanton and EV Smith, both located in the Central Region, have been added to the variety selection platform. As a result, the Central Region summary tabs have been updated. Note: Forage quality at Clanton was reduced for the first...
Performance of Small Grain Forage Varieties in Alabama, 2022-2023
September 14 - Quality results are now available on the variety selection platform for the ryegrass trials at the Clanton Research and Extension Center (CREC) and the EV Smith Research Center (EVSRC). Forage quality at the CREC was reduced for the first harvest of...