Crop variety plots were harvested in Jefferson County last week. These trial plots are set out each year to provide yield, herbicide and variety characteristic data on particular crop varieties.
The plots provide unbiased information about the adaptability and performance of varieties in Arkansas’ diverse environments, thereby allowing producers to make informed decisions on variety selection.
This year, there were variety trials in corn, soybeans, rice and cotton. Special thanks go to Peavine Farming Co., Cornerstone Farms and Diamond R/S Farms, this year’s cooperators who planted the trials.
The Enlist varieties were selected this year for the soybean variety trial. These varieties have the relatively new herbicide technology of 2,4-D Choline to provide control of broadleaf weeds. This trial was five rows of each variety for a total of 0.27 acres each. The Enlist trial harvested a range of 70-79 bushels per acre for an average of 73 bushels per acre overall, which is a respected yield for all the varieties.
This year the corn variety trial featured 13 different hybrids. All hybrids looked good throughout the growing season and held up well through the storm caused by Hurricane Laura. This trial also consisted of five rows of each hybrid for a total of 0.55 acres each. The yield ranged from 207 bushels per acre to 254 bushels per acre, and when calculating yields across all hybrids in this plot it averaged 230 bushels per acre. All varieties in this plot also cut a respectable yield.
Taking a look at the rice variety trial, this year three conventional rice varieties were looked at. They were replicated four times throughout the trial, each being 0.27 acres for each variety. Yields ranged from 180 bushels per acre to 224 bushels per acre. Overall this variety trial cut 198 bushels per acre when averaging all three together. This rice plot looked good all year and ended up cutting well.
These are the variety trials that have been harvested so far for the Jefferson County Extension office this growing season. We are very thankful for our growers and their participation this year with the Extension office. The yields harvested so far from these trials have all been good. I think it’s safe to say that the growing conditions and environment for the 2020 growing season have been better than the past couple of years.
As of this week we have received a few inches of rain that has held off harvest of most fields. Looking at the weather for next week the forecast is for the rainfall to clear. We can only hope for sunny and windy weather to help dry fields out and to be able to continue with the harvest.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without discrimination.
Kurt Beaty is a county extension agent with the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. He may be reached at kbeaty@uaex.edu or (870) 534-1033 or the ExtenPsion office, 500 S. Idaho St., at Pine Bluff. Beaty can also be followed at httwww.Twitter.com/ CEAJeffersonCo or at uaex.edu/Jefferson. County's Crop cut