The annual launch of the AHDB Recommended List introduces growers to a plethora of new options for 2021 cereal crops, alongside old favourites still ranking high. Wynnstay combinable crops manager, Jonathan Baxendale, says there is plenty of choice for the next season.
“RGT Wolverine should be highly sought after as a new Group 4 hard wheat, with its genetic resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV),” says Mr Baxendale.
“The loss of Deter and a move to earlier drilling increases the risk of BYDV next season, so although it has only a 5 for Yellow Rust and 5.3 for Septoria Tritici, we predict its high popularity next season as a tool against the pest.”
He notes if looking to purchase RGT Wolverine seed, growers need to sign-up to the BIPO scheme in advance of having the seed delivered. It is a straightforward process to register and what it means is the royalty aspect of the seed will be paid directly by the grower to BIPO on an area basis rather than being included in the seed price.
“If looking for a new Group 3 wheat variety, we have five new additions, bringing the total to eight biscuit wheats on the list,” he adds.
“This is probably more than is needed for this group, but shows there are some strong new additions.
“From the newcomers, it’s actually one of the lower yielding varieties which is taking over the headlines due to its wider agronomic benefits. LG Astronomer has a 9 for both Yellow Rust and Brown Rust, 7.4 for Septoria Tritici, an excellent specific weight at 77.8 and is extremely stiff strawed, so ticks a lot of boxes.
“Similar to what Extase does as a Group 2, we envisage growers opting for LG Astronomer as a feed wheat option due to its all-round strong package.
“Of the other additions, LG Prince is the highest yielding group 3 but provides a low specific weight of 74.8.”
In the out-and-out feed wheats, he adds growers are in a fortunate position with a good selection.
“In the Group 4 soft, LG Skyscraper and RGT Saki both yield extremely well. In the Group 4 hard wheats, Insitor, which was new addition for 2019, along with Graham and Gleam are proving to be popular,” he says.
“For late drilling slots, KWS Cranium is a new addition which has performed well in the Group 4 hard wheats, so if you liked KWS Crispin, it’s one for consideration,” he adds.
Winter barley
There are three new high yielding 2-row feed varieties and two new hybrid barleys to consider.
“In the 2-row’s, KWS Tardis is the highest yielding at 106%, putting it on par with the popular hybrid barley Bazooka, bridging the gap between the 2-rows and the hybrids. It also offers a high specific weight of 69.1 and an 8 for lodging, which is as good as it gets in the group. For western growers, it has a 7 for rhyncosporium, so is a strong consideration,” he adds.
Mr Baxendale predicts other new 2-row addition Bolton from Elsoms Seeds, will gain similar traction to KWS Tardis, offering growers the same yield and similar specific weight and also expects old favourites Orwell, Valerie and Surge to do well.
And, although the genetic advancements of the 2-row’s are gaining traction on the yields of hybrid varieties, he notes hybrids still have a role to play, particularly when combatting grassweeds such as blackgrass and ryegrass.
“SY Kingston and SY Thunderbolt are new this season and offer the same yield of 107% as others already on the list, with similar disease packages, but they don’t offer as strong of a lodging score as SY Kingsbarn, so this will should keep the top spot,” he adds.
“Overall, growers have some good new additions to the wheat and barley groups which offer a step-up in agronomic packages on those already on the list, but that’s not to say some of the old favourites who have consistently performed well, won’t continue to do so,” concludes Mr Baxendale.
