The Kentucky Soybean Variety Performance Tests are conducted annually across the Commonwealth. During the 2022 growing season, McCracken County Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Samantha Anderson, collaborated with the University of Kentucky Department of Plant and Soil Sciences and local producer, Josh Goodwin, to conduct this high value research in McCracken County.

These tests provide an unbiased and objective estimate of the relative performance of soybean varieties commercially available in Kentucky. The data collected from these tests provide geographically relevant data to growers and seed producers when selecting variates that will provide the greatest economic impact. Specific data collected from these tests include yield, lodging, maturity date, plant height, protein and oil concentrations, and disease occurrence.

Soybean variety performance is determined by many factors, including year, location, soil type, weather conditions, management practices and time of planting. The information provided by these tests serve as a useful reference point when making planting considerations for soybean producers across the Commonwealth.