Variety selection is an important management decision in crop production. As northern Illinois wheat producers make plans for seeding winter wheat next month, current variety information is available at University of Illinois Extension offices and on the World Wide Web.

2009 yield and test weight data from public and private wheat varieties grown at University of Illinois Agronomy Research Centers across the state are available at this website http://vt.cropsci.illinois.edu/wheat.html Also included is the two-year (2008-09) and three-year (2007-09) yield average. Data is available back to 1997.

This year, 70 winter wheat varieties tested at the DeKalb site, averaged 99 bushels per acre and the average test weight was 56.2 pounds per bushel. Yields ranged from 82.7 to 113.5 bushels per acre.

In addition to yield, agronomic characteristics and pest resistance are provided. For instance, varieties are listed regarding type (variety, blend, or hybrid), head type (bearded, not bearded, or tip-awned), and scored for maturity, winter hardiness, plant height, standability, and resistance to various diseases (leaf rust and Septoria) and to the Hessian fly. The web site also provides Fusarium Head Scab disease evaluation ratings for the varieties in the wheat trials at Urbana.

Soil type and cultural practices, such as seeding date and rate, nitrogen fertilizer, etc., at each of the Agronomy Research Centers are listed.

A study of a seed treatment insecticide was also conducted at the Agronomy Research Centers. Averaged over seven varieties at DeKalb, seed treatment insecticide (Macho) increased yield by 2.5 bushels per acre.

Wheat Performance in Illinois Trials-2009 is a publication, available soon at Extension offices, that contains the above-mentioned information. The publication is also available at http://vt.cropsci.illinois.edu/wheat.html

To have the most current, research-based variety information available, wheat producers are encouraged to consult these references. Assistance in obtaining this information is available at local University of Illinois Extension offices.