Whatever the coming wheat season has in store, one of the most critical decisions a grower will make is what wheat varieties to grow. One resource for this decision is the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Wheat Varieties Virtual Tour: cropwatch.unl.edu/web/wheat/virtual.

Growers 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, says Drew Lyon, Extension cropping systems specialist in Scottsbluff. They also 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 and UNL specialists' experience with the varieties in their regions of the state, Lyon says. "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," he says.

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, Lyon recommends.

Additional on-line information on wheat varieties can be found at the UNL Variety Testing Page at cropwatch.unl.edu/web/varietytest/wheat.