By Scout Nelson
North Dakota State University (NDSU) invites seed companies and research partners to participate in the 2026 Crop Performance Trials. These trials play an important role in providing unbiased, research-based information about crop variety performance across North Dakota’s diverse growing environments. The program helps farmers make better crop decisions for their farms.
The trials test several important crops, including canola, corn, soybeans, and sunflowers. Research will take place at several NDSU Research Extension Centers (RECs), including Carrington, Dickinson, Hettinger, Langdon, and Williston. Seed companies can also submit entries through the North Central Research Extension Center in Minot by contacting Leo Bortolon at leandro.bortolon@ndsu.edu, or email ndsu.northcentral.rec@ndsu.edu, or call 701-857-7677.
The fee for participation in the 2026 trials is $300 per entry, per environment, per location. This fee helps support the collection of reliable and high-quality data used by farmers, researchers, and the seed industry. Companies that enter varieties into multiple locations or environments must provide seed quantities for each entry based on the required amount.
Entry and seed submission deadlines vary depending on the crop and research center. For example, canola and corn entries at Carrington are due by March 15, with seed deadlines by April 1. Soybean and sunflower entries generally close on April 1, with seed due by April 15. Some sites have special notes, such as irrigated and dryland testing at Williston or oil-type sunflower testing at Hettinger. Dickinson will conduct soybean trials focused on Roundup-tolerant varieties.
The trials allow companies to test their crop varieties under real growing conditions across the state. This information helps farmers compare crop performance and choose varieties that perform well in different regions and environments.
NDSU encourages companies to submit entries through the online registration system for canola, corn, soybeans, and sunflowers. Additional crops or special testing options require direct contact with Missy Hafner at melissa.hafner@ndsu.edu, or call at 701-652-2951. For example, sunflower testing at a new Wishek location requires coordination with the Carrington REC.
Once planting is completed, each research center will send invoices to participating companies. Participants should also check for confirmation of emails after submitting entries to ensure the information is correctly received.
Through collaboration between universities, researchers, and seed companies, these trials continue to provide valuable data that supports crop production decisions and strengthens agricultural research in North Dakota.
Photo Credit: istock-oticki
Categories: North Dakota, Crops, Soybeans