For growers still considering their winter wheat variety options for fall 2021, there is a new mobile app they may want to check out. The WSU Variety Testing Program has just released a new mobile-friendly version of their cereal variety selection tool available wherever you get your apps. Like the desktop version of the app, growers can utilize the tool to filter and sort wheat and barley varieties based on a multitude of characteristics that are most important to them and their operation. Yield, test weight, grain protein, plant height, and maturity data are all generated from the variety trials themselves, and averages are generated by precipitation zone for all major classes of wheat and barley. Users can also screen varieties by other parameters that include winter survival, disease ratings, Hessian fly resistance, end-use quality, falling number ratings, and more.
Because of the large amount of information stored and presented in the tool, functionality was problematic for mobile devices and small screens. In the new mobile app, the biggest difference users will notice is the streamlined format for easy scrolling. Some of the sort options are also improved so that missing values are automatically sorted to the bottom. Another major advantage with this app is that it will automatically update when new data is added to the website and the data will be stored on the mobile device for viewing even without internet connectivity.
Additionally, this app allows users to select and compare variety yield, test weight, and grain protein across multiple precipitation zones, which is not currently possible with the current desktop version. We believe this will be beneficial for seed dealers and distributors along with many growers who farm across multiple rainfall zones. If you would like to look at the information on paper, you can also export results into an excel file for later viewing, sharing, or printing. You can find the app on the Google Play store as well as on the iTunes App Store.
For those who do download the new app, we would like your feedback! Please go to the WSU Cereal Variety Selection Tool Mobile App Survey to complete the user survey after testing out the app.
For questions or comments, contact Clark Neely via email at clark.neely@wsu.edu or mobile phone at (814) 571-5628.