For instance, a variety may yield well in a year with a cool, wet summer but be unsuited for Kansas in most years. Using a number of years of yield information minimizes the possibility of choosing an unsuitable variety based on performance under unusual circumstances. Collecting other information about a variety in addition to yield provides a more complete picture of its potential performance. Bloom date is a consistent trait that indicates the relative maturity of a variety and its potential for maturing early enough to fill grain before the hot, dry conditions of summer. Test weight helps evaluate the ability of a variety to fill seed under harsh summer conditions and often is related closely to maturity.
Height is another consistent trait that often is related to maturity.
Shorter varieties may be early-maturing and able to produce and fill grain before temperature and moisture stresses become extreme. Taller varieties tend to mature later and are usually better adapted to the northern states. Figure 3 presents a statewide summarization that integrates performance over all testing sites in Kansas. This provides information on the ability of a variety to perform over a wide range of conditions. It may be especially useful for producers located far from any of the testing sites or with conditions that are quite different from any one testing site.