The University of Illinois has released the 2003 results from its variety testing program for corn and soybeans. The data from these latest trials are available in both printed form and on the Internet at http://vt.cropsci.uiuc.edu.

"One of the most important production decisions facing producers each year is which soybean variety or corn hybrid to grow on their farm," said Emerson Nafziger, crop scientist with University of Illinois Extension. "The variety testing program in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois provides accurate and unbiased performance data on a large number of soybean varieties and hybrids so that growers can make the best choice possible on what to plant."

He points out that the program is one of the largest in the country and has served as a "neutral testing ground" for more than 60 years for corn, and for two to three decades for other crops. The corn entries in this year's trials were tested at a dozen sites throughout Illinois, while the soybean varieties were tested at 13 different sites.

"There were 134 conventional varieties and 661 Roundup resistant varieties from 70 companies in the latest soybean trials, while the corn trials included 370 hybrids from 51 different seed companies," Nafziger said. "The total number of soybean varieties included 244 that were nominated by Illinois farmers and entered directly by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff Board."

Nafziger notes that the quickest way to find results from these trials is on the website for the U of I's Department of Crop Sciences. Printed versions are published in Illinois AgriNews during mid-November. Paper copies can also be obtained from most University of Illinois Extension offices after early December.

"Corn yields were excellent in northern and central Illinois," Nafziger said."Regional averages in northern, west central and east central trials were over 200 bushels per acre. Individual location yield averages were as high as 229 bushels at Erie and 227 bushels at New Berlin and none lower than 190 bushels in northern and central Illinois." 

He adds that the average corn yield in the southern region was much lower at 128 bushels per acre, with delayed planting accounting for much of the reduction. Soybeans followed a much different trend, with yields average to below average over most the state. 

"The highest yields were seen in region 3, which includes Urbana, New Berlin and Perry in central Illinois," Nafziger said."Maturity group averages were in the mid- to high-50 bushel per acre range for region 3. Regional yield averages in the remainder of the state ranged from the high- to low-40 bushel per acre range."

According to Nafziger, the lower soybean yields were caused by hot and dry weather in August and a host of disease and insect problems, such as SDS, charcoal rot, and the soybean aphid.

"When trial yields are considerably lower than a four- or five-average, the usefulness of the data to predict performance next year is somewhat limited," Nafziger said. "Unless we expect low yields, it might be best to discount the low-yield trials."

He points out that, while company data and recommendations are essential in deciding what seed to buy this fall for planting in 2004, the University of Illinois variety trial results represent the only place to find so many hybrids and varieties compared to each other in the same trials.

"Companies know their products better than anyone else, but they may not have much information on how their varieties perform compared to those from other companies," Nafziger said. "Many producers also like to double-check to see how the seed they ordered stacks up against the competition. If the seed company participates in the university trials, these trials usually represent the best source of such information."