Category: Articles

Skyfall is the most popular milling variety grown on farm, it has a long drilling window that extends to February and is the only Gp 1 with OWBM resistance. It scores very well for Brown Rust,9, and poorly for Yellow Rust,3, this is evident by the picture seen (captioned Skyfall).

KWS Zyatt and Crusoe are still important varieties in Gp 1 as long as they can be managed for Yellow and Brown Rust respectively. They both have similar Septoria scores of 6.1 & 6.2 which are the highest within Gp1, this is important for the year we have had.

RGT Illustrious makes a return to the AHDB Recommended List with the highest untreated yield score in Gp 1. Illustrious has the strongest all-round agronomics and prefers heavy land. Illustrious should be grown as a 1^st wheat and its Nitrogen programme managed as a 2^nd. To get the best out of this variety increase the seed rate by 10%.

KWS Extase is a very popular variety with many farmers getting a milling premium for its protein content. It has a high score for Septoria, 7.8, and the highest score for untreated yield on the recommended list, 97. To get the best out of this variety it should not be drilled before the start of October.

Mayflower is a great variety for farmers looking to reduce their inputs of both nitrogen and fungicide. It has very robust agronomics with a 9 for Yellow Rust and 8.9 for Septoria. It has a great N use efficiency with data from the breeder (Elsoms) showing how it yields higher whilst with less nitrogen.

The Gp 3 market has shrunk in recent years and been overtaken by the Gp 4 hard varieties. Gp 3’s were once the higher yielding varieties however this is no longer the case with few farmers growing for biscuit making.

LG Prince is joint highest in Gp 3 for treated yield with a robust agronomic package scoring an 8 for Yellow Rust, 7 for Brown Rust & OWBM resistance. Prince does have a lower specific weight of 75kg/hl which may put growers off. Do not grow this variety on light land.

LG Astronomer has the highest untreated yield within Gp3 and the strongest disease resistance. It is resistant to young plant yellow rust and scores 9 for Yellow Rust itself, 8 for Brown Rust, 6.2 for Septoria & OWBM resistance. This is a lower yielding variety however if you’re looking to reduce fungicide inputs, this could be the variety choice for you.

LG Redwald is the highest yielding variety on the 2023/24 AHDB Recommended List with a 107 for treated yield. This variety has good agronomics with the highest Septoria rating, 6.7, in Gp 4S. One to watch for Redwald is its standing power with a lodging score of 5, a split PGR programme is a worthwhile investment. As this is a new headline variety it will sell out this coming season so if it interests you, get your hands on some early. To get the best out of this variety do not be tempted to sow early.

KWS Zealum is the other new Gp 4S this year with admirable yield (103) and agronomics, notably a Yellow Rust score of 9. This variety is best placed for early sowing and could be a potential replacement for farmers who already grow LG Skyscraper.

LG Skyscraper has been a farm favourite in recent years with those who grow it well aware of how to get the best out of this variety. Following a Septoria heavy year, a score of 4.9 might not feel quite enough when you see what Redwald & Zealum have to offer.

Champion is the highest yielding in Gp 4H, with a score of 106 for treated yield. It has been very popular on farm being one of the cleanest varieties this year, this is because of its agronomics especially the 8.1 for Septoria and 8 for Yellow Rust. This will continue to be a very popular variety for this coming season however I don’t believe it will sell out purely because of the amount that is being grown on farm now. However, to make sure you get the seed when you want it, be sure to book a volume if you know you’re going to want to grow this variety.

KWS Dawsum had a great first year in the recommended list last year being compared to Champion and many farmers choosing to grow either or. However, it seems to have dropped below Champion in yield despite its strong agronomics. It scores 9 for Yellow Rust, 7 for Brown Rust and 6.4 for Septoria. Dawsum has the highest untreated yield within Gp 4H, despite having a lower score for Septoria and no OWBM. Royalties have increased by varying amounts across the breeders which means that Dawsum could look more expensive than its competitors this year.

Gleam is a farm favourite variety. First appearing on the recommended list in 2018 and since become a control variety for trials across the country, everybody loves Gleam. Unfortunately after 5 years it is starting to show its age becoming more susceptible to Yellow Rust. However, Gleam is still a very popular variety and that won’t change any time soon.