Lincolnshire-based seed supplier Cope has launched three high-yielding varieties – offering growers a wider choice and more flexibility.
The launch of spring wheat variety Everlong, winter barley Aretha and spring pea Marler coincided with a new company website and rebranding of the business, which was formerly known as Cope Seeds.
A new addition to the AHDB recommended list this year, Everlong is a hard Group 4 feed wheat variety for spring sowing. It has given high treated yields, high Hagbergs and specific weights with good grain proteins.
Performance
Over three years of testing, Everlong has shown no major weaknesses in disease resistance, says the AHDB.
A relatively early maturing variety, it has high resistance to yellow rust, brown rust and mildew, based on limited data.
Cope says Everlong has a wide drilling window – either as a late autumn-drilled wheat or as a true spring wheat option for the feed market. It is said to clean, easy to manage, and produces the boldest grain of any spring wheat.
Early maturing winter barley candidate variety Aretha boasts high yields and tall, stiff straw. It offers Type 1 & 2 Barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) resistance, providing growers with the flexibility required for successful sowing.
Meanwhile, spring pea candidate Marler is said to be the highest yielding white pea of any listed or candidate variety. It is said to perform consistently across various sites with good resistance to downy mildew.
New era
Cope managing director Gemma Clarke said the launch of the three varieties and the unveiling of the company’s rebrand marked a new era for the business. All new varieties would be available through merchants, she added.
Ms Clarke said: “Not only do we want to support farmers with leading varieties, but we’re also forging long-term partnerships with breeders, growers and producers, to support resilient food systems.
“We work with world-leading UK and EU plant breeders to increase genetic gain, by developing climate adapted, low input, healthy, high-yielding crop varieties and we reinvest 25% of our earnings into research, development, and trials.”
