1994 2012 First Meeting 1994 Iowa State University

1994 -2012

First Meeting • 1994 Iowa State University Ames, IA • Organized by Ken Ziegler • 26 attendees including 8 Faculty

First Meeting • Started the process of obtaining NCR Status • What, who, when the group would meet • What the group was to discuss and achieve

1996 • Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas • George Ham, Associate Director Kansas Ag. Exp. Station • Presented current situation and alternatives regarding NCR Committee status.

NCR • Strong tendency to reduce the number of committees in recent years • Fewer administrative advisors available to service existing and new projects

NCR • Fewer dollars available for travel and increased accountability • NCR directors focusing on other, higher priorities

NCR • NCR directors focusing on other, higher priorities • Decided to move on as a self organized group

Purpose • Provide comprehensive, impartial, and timely information about variety performance to growers

Purpose • Promote Land Grant University operated crop performance trials

Objectives • Develop recommendations for standardized variety testing and reporting procedures

Objectives • List of procedures on website • UCTA. ORG

Objectives • Facilitate the formation of regional databases for major agronomic crops in the North Central region

Objectives

Objectives • SELECT- Variety selection software • Joe Lauer- University of Wisconsin • Work in progress

Objectives • Distribution of results • UCTA. ORG

Objectives • Liaison with industry • ASTA booth

Objectives • Liaison with industry • ASTA booth

Objectives • Provide a formal setting where recommendations from seed companies and associated commodity organizations can be discussed, evaluated, and incorporated into appropriate protocols

Objectives • Provide forum for the exchange of information and ideas related to crop testing in the North Central region

Objectives • Summer meeting • Equipment • Plots

Attendance • • • • University Attended Iowa State 15 Ohio State 14 University of Illinois 18 University of Missouri 7 University of Nebraska 14 Kansas State University 16 Purdue University 6 Michigan State University 18 University of Minnesota 2 University of Wisconsin 17 Penn State University 13 South Dakota State University 3 Virginia Tech 1 North Dakota State University 1 Colorado State University 1 • Average Attendance ~20 Hosted 2 2 2 1 2 0 2 1 1 0 0 0

Notable Events • 1996 North Central Crop Evaluation Committee • 1998 Decided to develop website • 2005 Industry panel • 2006 Purdue to host website and give it a facelift • 2007 Change name to University Crop Testing Alliance • 2007 ASTA booth • 2009 Illinois to host website

Memorable tours • 1996 Konza Prairie • 2000 Terry Redlin • 2003 Evergreen Dairy • 2005 Betty Lou Cruise • 2008 Chicago Board of Trade • 2010 GM Tour • 2011 Monsanto Production