Urbana, Illinois
November 12, 2007
The
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (U of I) has
released the 2007 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 corn 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 some 30 years for soybean. The
entries in this year's trials were tested at 13 different sites
throughout Illinois.
"There were 57 conventional varieties and 544 Roundup resistant
varieties from 64 companies in the 2007 soybean trials, while
the corn trials included 311 corn hybrids from 46 different seed
companies," Nafziger said. "The total number of soybean
varieties included 241 that were nominated by Illinois farmers.
Fees for the nominated varieties were paid by the Illinois
Soybean Association."
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 very good across the state," Nafziger said.
"Regional averages in the northern, west-central and
east-central trials were over 220 bushels per acre, and the
southern trial averaged 185 bushels per acre. Individual
location averages were as high as 246 bushels per acre at New
Berlin."
He reports that soybean yields were also quite good in most
regions of the state. Regional yields were consistently in the
range from the mid-50 bushels per acre to 60 bushels per acre in
northern and east central locations. .
"The highest yielding location was Mt. Morris in northern
Illinois, where two trials averaged nearly 70 bushels per acre,"
Nafziger said. "Belleville and Harrisburg attained yield levels
in the mid-50 bushels per acre range. The Perry, St. Peter, and
Elkville locations suffered from dry conditions through July and
August, which was reflected in the low yield levels at those
sites."
Nafziger points out that, while company data and recommendations
are essential in deciding what seed to buy this fall for
planting in 2008, 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 to share 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." |
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