August 8, 2008

The virutal tour provides information on variety traits as well as a table to compare traits among a number of varieties.

An online decision aid tool can help identify varieties which best fit your operation.

Wheat variety tours are held every summer throughout Nebraska to allow wheat growers to see, compare, and learn about the many winter wheat varieties available and to get an early glimpse of new experimental lines. For those who couldn't attend the tours or just want to refresh their memories, we have developed the Wheat Varieties Virtual Tour (www.panhandle.unl.edu/wheat).

Virtual tourists can see a list of wheat varieties recommended for their part of the state, read about a variety's characteristics and compare those characteristics to other varieties of interest. Tourists can also see how different varieties performed in nearby wheat variety trials and locate a certified seed dealer that carries the varieties they are most interested in purchasing.

Wheat variety recommendations are based on three-year average yield data. Given the highly variable climate of Nebraska, we do not advise growers to make variety selections based on just one or two years of test results.

A link to the Winter Wheat Variety Selection Tool (citnews.unl.edu/winter_wheat_tool/index.shtml) is located in the Find a Variety section of the Virtual Tour. This tool allows growers to narrow their search for a new wheat variety. Growers are asked seven questions that help identify variety characteristics that are important to them. The tool then queries a database to identify those varieties that meet the selected criteria.

The Wheat Varieties Virtual Tour site is updated each year in early August with the results from the latest statewide variety testing program. This ensures that growers have access to the most current information on winter wheat varieties when making their seed purchasing decisions.

The selection of adapted and complimentary varieties is one of the most important decisions a wheat grower will make for this season. Make a more informed decision by visiting the Wheat Varieties Virtual Tour.

Additional on-line information for wheat growers can be found at the Wheat Production Systems (archive/-/asset_publisher/VHeSpfv0Agju/content/wheatbook.unl.edu) Web site. Wheat Production Systems is a page of links to the most recent information from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. Visitors to the site can sign up to receive e-mail messages when the site is updated.

Drew Lyon, Extension Dryland Cropping Systems Specialist
Panhandle REC, Scottsbluff
Lenis Nelson, Extension Variety Testing Specialist, Lincoln