2025 Kentucky Soybean Variety Trial Results Available

BILL BRUENING

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

Variety selection is one of the most critical management decisions soybean growers will make. Yield potential is usually considered of primary importance, but other characteristics, such as maturity, herbicide & technology traits, cyst nematode and disease resistance, and possibly seed protein or oil content may also be important in making variety selection decisions.

Results from the 2025 University of Kentucky Soybean Variety Trials are available at https://varietytesting.mgcafe.uky.edu/ and is funded in part by the Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board. 

Because weather, soil, and other environmental factors may alter varietal performance from one location to another, tests are annually conducted at multiple locations throughout the soybean production regions of the state. It is best to have “state average” results from multiple locations from which to draw conclusions. Results from one regional test location should not be used exclusively for variety selection. Varieties that perform well across multiple locations are more likely to perform well under future growing conditions. Regional (single location) trial data may, however, be beneficial when used in conjunction with multi-location results. Identifying varieties that perform well across all test locations as well as within a grower’s particular region, allows growers to factor in varietal response to local growing conditions, while still utilizing the robust overall state summary data.

Most states have variety testing programs to offer growers free, unbiased, reliable information to assist in making variety selection decisions. Taking advantage of this opportunity to increase production potential with no additional inputs is easy and just a few clicks away.   ∆

BILL BRUENING

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY