It is a consolidation of observations by agronomists, plant pathologists, and others over many years and locations. All ratings are experts' best estimates based on information and observations from several sources. Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus. The Kansas oat performance tests are designed to evaluate oat varieties in several environments using recommended production practices. Varieties are evaluated for yield, test weight, maturity, height, and other characters that may arise in a given season.
Yield often integrates a number of factors that affect the potential performance of a variety.
However, yield may not tell the entire story. 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.