The University of Illinois has released the 2005 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, U of I Extension agronomist. "The variety testing program in the Department of Crop Sciences at the U of I 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 12 different sites.

"There were 106 conventional varieties and 661 Roundup resistant varieties from 67 companies in the 2005 soybean trials, while the corn trials included 398 hybrids from 50 different seed companies," Nafziger said. "The total number of soybean varieties included 254 that were nominated by Illinois farmers. Fees for the nominated varieties were paid 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 U of I Extension offices after early December.

"Corn yields were a pleasant surprise across the state," Nafziger said. "Regional averages in northern and west central trials were over 200 bushels per acre, with the east central trial averaging 170 bushels and the southern trial averaging 150 bushels. Individual location yield averages were as high as 226 bushels at DeKalb and 213 bushels at Perry."

He notes that corn results far surpassed mid-summer yield expectations in all regions of the state. Soybean yields also attained surprisingly high levels over most of the state.

"Regional soybean yields were consistently in the range right around 60 bushels per acre across the state," Nafziger said. "The highest yielding location was Erie in northwestern Illinois, where two trials averaged over 70 bushels per acre and two others were over 65 bushels per acre. In July, these yield levels would never have been expected."

Nafziger points out that, while company data and recommendations are essential in deciding what seed to buy this fall for planting in 2005, the U of I 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 always have much information on how their varieties perform compare 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, such data represent a valuable source of such information."

Author: Rob Wynstra