Being a regional business, we believe that the varieties we offer reflect the ultimate marketing opportunities growers have for their produce, therefore, we tailor the range of varieties produced to suit our main market outlets.
Spring seed supplies are already under pressure, with national seed stocks depleted by poor harvest conditions. Growers with specific requirements of both species and variety should be aware of certain seeds becoming unavailable over the next few weeks. Spring wheats and barleys are particularly short, with spring bean seed not far behind.
Please call 01233 720871 to discuss your requirements
Wheat
Group 1
- Solstice – Group 1, mainstay variety. Relatively weak straw, prone to mildew and brown rust. Medium to strong tillering. Need to reduce seed rates, especially on fertile sites. Not ideal as a second wheat.
- Sogood – Potential Solstice type with better disease profile, but weaker straw. Need to pay attention to seed rates (15% less than Solstice) and drilling date, preferably late September. Millers appear to be interested, but harvest performance in field and in the mill will tell us all we need to know!
- Gallant – Highest yielding Group 1 variety on Rec. List. Earlier to mature that Solstice, with shorter straw. However, Gallant does require a robust PGR programme. Disease ratings similar to Solstice. Millers will be kean to see 2010 Harvest produce to assess the variety on a commercial scale.
Group 2
- Cordiale – Short stiff straw, weakfish on BR and Sep tritici. Prefers stronger ground. Does well in 1st and 2nd position. Early maturing. Good specific weights and other grain qualities. Miller now more accepting of the variety with good premium potential.
- Einstein – Lower fertility sites preferred. Tends to put too much into straw production if too strong. Robust disease profile. Straw needs good PGR. Early spring N helps to stimulate tiller growth. Keep seed rates up. Very good second wheat!
Group 3
- Claire – Only early driller on Group 3. We know its wrinkles, but it remains consistent and accepted by the millers.
- Robigus – Has had a chequered time, but still favoured by some growers. As new varieties come forward, it will fall from favour fast.
- Zebedee – this variety performed well again in 2008 despite a difficult harvest. Good PGR and Fungicide programmes along with attention to seed rates will see this variety continue to perform well, especially on heavy land.
- Acrobat – A Cordiale x Robigus cross, with very short stiff straw, good all round disease resistance and excellent grain quality, including very high specific weight. Early days but will do very well on fertile sites. A potential performer in a second wheat position. OWBM resistant.
- Scout - The only candidate variety to gain recommendation as a Group 3 in 2008. Whilst lower yielding than Zebedee, Scout offers excellent grain quality, good disease resistance and OWBM resistance. It has tallish straw, but excellent standing ability. Initial indications are that Scout may suit early drilling, being a slow developing variety in the autumn. It may also suit a 2nd wheat position.
Group 4
- Oakley – Hard endosperm feeder. Relatively tall, but stiff straw. Performs best on light land, but still good on heavier sites. OWBM resistant. Disease good, except weakfish on Fusarium. Good solid type, also in second wheat.
- Humber – Hard endosperm feeder with very short and stiff straw, and slow developer, so can drill early. As Battalion, not strong tillerer so care with seed rates. Decent disease, especially Eyespot (8). Look out this harvest for second wheat performance! Prefers heavier, more fertile sites. Tiller retention good.
- Newly Recommended Viscount – Recommended as a Group 4 variety in 2008, Viscount offers a sound agronomic package and high yield. Despite missing out on the Group 3 classification, it meets the UK’s criteria required for soft wheat exports.
Barley
- Saffron – The leading feed variety having had a good season, with above average yields and specific rates. Other than a weakness to mildew, disease ratings are sound, and straw is stiff if not a little taller than some other varieties.
- Carat – Although below par on paper, Carat continues to yield competitively with excellent specific weights and BYMV resistance. Stiff and short straw completes the package.
- Retriever – Highest yielding feed type on recommended list. Whilst not a tall variety, straw is less stiff than Saffron. Specific weight needs to be considered when deciding on site selection and seed rates. BYMV resistant.
- Sequel – Most established six row variety. Agronomically sound but better two rows now offer better yield.
- Hybrids – A range of varieties continue to be available, with very high yield potential best achieved on more fertile sites. Specific weights are relatively low, with newer varieties offering improved straw characteristics.
- Pearl – Still the maltsters most favoured winter barley. Late maturity and now lower yield make some other varieties attractive, but Pearl remains a safe bet for easy marketing.
- Cassata – Now approved by the Institute of Brewers and Distillers, Cassata has a sound disease spectrum and straw profile. Earlier to mature than Pearl and with BYMV resistance, the variety should have a good demand from malting barley growers.
Oats
- Mascani – Whilst lower yielding than SW Dalguise, its excellent grain characteristics make it a sound choice. Good Crown Rust resistance and straw strength.
- Gerald – Most popular variety, having maintained favour with the millers. Good straw and disease profile makes Gerald a safe bet.
- SW Dalguise – Higher yielding than Gerald, but a little taller straw. Accepted by millers
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