Choosing the best adapted hybrids and varieties for this year's crops is an important financial decision for all producers across Nebraska, a University of Nebraska (NU) crop production and seed variety specialist said.

The 2004 Nebraska Seed Guide will help producers better select this year's crops, said Lenis Nelson, crop production and seed variety specialist.

NU Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources scientists annually test several hundred soybean and corn varieties at sites across the state, Nelson said. Annual reports of results provide an unbiased comparison of how entries from seed companies perform at different locations and under different conditions.

Results from other variety tests, including sorghum, sunflower, proso millet, foxtail millet, grain pea and oats, also are available.

"The results give farmers an idea of what varieties are performing best in their area," Nelson said. "What the producer pays for the seed doesn't differ much, but choosing the variety that will give them the best performance can have significant impact on yield."

The Seed Guide provides information on yield, moisture, bushel weight and diseases.

Nelson encourages farmers to use variety test results as a reference in determining which varieties to plant. He also stresses using information from many sources, including seed company brochures, field plots and personal experience in making this important decision. However, producers should choose several varieties of each crop to help spread the risk of a particular hybrid's susceptibility to pest problems, planting or climatic conditions and harvest moisture. Planting different varieties spreads the maturity date and broadens disease and insect resistance.

This year's 2004 Seed Guide was mailed to nearly 22,000 Nebraska farmers in the Bullseye Midwest Edition of Midwest Messenger. For those not receiving a copy, contact a local Cooperative Extension office and ask for Extension Circular 03-101.

Individual test sites also are posted on the Web at http://varietytest.unl.edu.

For more information about using the Seed Guide, consult NU Cooperative Extension NebGuide G03-1521-A, Using Corn Hybrid Yield Data to Improve Selection of Rapidly Changing Hybrids, available from a local Cooperative Extension Office or on the Web at http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/fieldcrops/g1521.htm.