Evolution not revolution for autumn cereals

Hutchinsons national seeds manager David Bouch highlights his wheat and barley recommendations for drilling this autumn.

Several new wheat and barley varieties are vying for our attention this autumn. But with many sectors, the choices on offer for growers have not changed dramatically this year.

Winter barley

Following last autumn’s launch of new hybrid varieties tolerant to Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus, this season sees BYDV resistant barley SY Kestrel come to the market. But seed availability is extremely limited, with only a few hundred packs available.

The Hyvido share of the feed barley market is likely to remain at similar levels this autumn at circa 27%, although there will be greater growth from 2-row barleys in the shape of both LG Caravelle and the newly recommended LG Capitol.

KWS Tardis will undoubtedly remain a popular choice, having taken the market by storm in autumn 2022 and gaining increased market share in autumn 2023.

KWS has its first hybrid barley in the guise of KWS Inys offering very high yields, stiff straw and very low brackling. Early maturity (-1) coupled with good untreated yield provides a different route to market for hybrid barley.

Winter wheat

Crusoe and RGT Illustrious will be the varieties most preferred by millers, as they were last year. Newly recommended SY Cheer is cleaner than many tried and tested varieties but it has yet to gain full approval as a Group 1.

With SY Cheer likely to be further evaluated on this year’s performance, Skyfall and Zyatt still hold a significant presence within the sector – despite needing greater management particularly for yellow rust.

Skyfall does have other advantages though, offering the greatest drilling window while still being the only variety in Groups 1 and 2 to offer Orange Wheat Blossom Midge resistance.

KWS Extase will remain the market leader in the group 2 sector while KWS Ultimatum offers potential for growers further north.

Feed and biscuit wheat varieties

There are two new outstanding feed wheat considerations on the back of the very successful KWS Dawsum and Champion, with LG Redwald having set the standard for yield potential.

Bamford has strolled on to the Recommended List as the highest yielding Group 3 wheat. It offers yields at least 6% higher than its contemporaries, with potential for biscuit making (with premium) distilling and export. Only KWS Extase has higher untreated yield. Its regional performance in the west merits further consideration.

LG Beowulf (below) has joined Champion at the top of the RL, providing excellent yield in the north and stiff straw – scoring 8 for both treated and untreated resistance to lodging; excellent grain quality, very good yellow rust resistance and decent for septoria as well. It also offers Orange Wheat Blossom Midge resistance.

Blackstone is the new soft Group 4 from Elsoms to challenge LG Redwald with excellent yellow rust resistance and superior standing ability and bushel weight.

Gleam still appears to have remarkable consistency and Graham remains a very popular choice in the west. It of course is also suitable for early drilling which we are likely to see more of this autumn.