Crop Variety Performance Trials are conducted by Colorado State University’s Crops Testing Program to provide unbiased and reliable information to Colorado crop producers to help them make better variety decisions. Each crop in our program has a page where the most recent trial information and technical reports can be found.

The Crops Testing Program currently conducts on-farm and small-plot variety trials for grain and forage sorghum, winter wheat, pinto beans, cowpea, sunflower (confection and oil), corn (grain and silage), and winter canola. We also conduct a range of agronomy trials and test new plant or soil applied products coming onto the market for use by farmers producing the above-mentioned crops.

• Making Better Decisions: Colorado Sunflower Performance Trials – February 2023
• Making Better Decisions: Colorado Sorghum Performance Trials – January 2023
• Making Better Decisions: Colorado Corn Hybrid Trials – December 2022
• Making Better Decisions: Colorado Wheat Variety Trials – August 2022
• Making Better Decisions: Colorado Dry Bean and Cowpea Variety Trials – Oct. 2022

In addition to our crop variety performance trials, the Crops Testing Program conducts relevant and cooperative research on common crops grown in eastern Colorado. This research is done with funding from crop commodity groups, private seed companies, and other grants.

Winter Wheat
We are currently testing eight forage and traditional wheat varieties to compare forage yield and quality for wheat farmers who are interested in producing forage wheat as a dual-purpose crop. The trials are being conducted at three dryland wheat sites near Akron, Burlington, and Yuma. This research is being funded by the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation. Look for second-year trial results in Aug. of 2023.

Grain Sorghum

Sorghum Hybrid, Seeding Rate, Planting Date Study

Planting dates for grain sorghum tend to be later than corn due to corn being better adapted to emergence in lower soil temperatures. We want to determine if there is a yield penalty due to later plantings, and if so, to quantify the potential yield loss. Grain sorghum producers also tend to use a wide range of seeding rates depending on their region and soil moisture. The objective of this study is to determine if there are any interactions among the effects of seeding rate, plant date, and type of hybrid on grain yield, test weight, plant tillering, and days to flowering.

Trials are conducted at Akron and Sheridan Lake, using two adapted early maturing hybrids (DKS28-05 and M54GR24) at three seeding rates (20,000, 40,000 and 60,000 seeds/acre), with two planting dates of mid-late May and mid-late June.

Sorghum Microbiological Testing

Microbiological products include seed treatments and soil/foliar applied products. These products are supposed to increase root and plant structures, increase yield, and improve plant nutrient uptake. Our objective is to determine if there is an increase in yield and/or test weight from the addition of microbiological products to the plant or soil. In 2022, we tested five products across three dryland sites and results are here.

• Colorado State University Extension
• CSU Wheat Breeding and Genetics
• Colorado Seed Programs