With growers now looking ahead to autumn planting, David Bouch, national seed manager for Hutchinsons, notes that there are several new wheat and barley varieties worthy of attention.
Winter barley
This season will be the first time that the BYDV-resistant barley variety SY Kestrel will be available, albeit in very limited numbers.
David predicts that the Hyvido share of feed barely will remain stable at 27% of the market, though there will be greater growth of two-row varieties in the shape of LG Caravelle and the newly recommended LG Capitol.
KWS Tardis will remain a popular choice, while the company’s first hybrid variety, KWS Iyns, is said to offer high yields, stiff straw and very low brackling.
Winter wheat
The millers’ preferred options will remain Crusoe and RGT Illustrious. The newly recommended SY Cheer has yet to gain full approval as Group 1, despite reportedly being cleaner than tried and tested varieties.
Skyfall and Zyatt still have a significant place in the market, despite needing help with yellow rust pressure. Skyfall, in particular, offers the largest drilling window and is the only variety in Groups 1 and 2 to offer Orange Wheat Blossom Midge (OWBM) resistance.
KWS Extase will likely remain the market leader in Group 2, while KWS Ultimatum offers potential in the north.
Feed and biscuit wheat
David noted that two new feed wheat varieties are available this year. Bamford offers the highest yield of a Group 3 (at least 6% above its contemporaries) and has biscuit potential, as well as distilling and export markets.
LG Beowulf sits at the top of the Recommended List, with strong yields in the north and stiff straw, as well as untreated resistance to lodging. It backs this up with grain quality and resistance to yellow rust, septoria and OWBM.
Elsoms Blackstone soft Group 4 variety brings good resistance to yellow rust, strong standing ability and a good bushel weight, Other varieties to consider include the consistent Gleam, and Graham which remains popular in the west and is suitable for early drilling.