Full approval for two RAGT wheats

Two wheats from breeder RAGT make the 2025/26 Recommended List after strong performances on farms and in trials.

Breadmaking wheat RGT Goldfinch is the first Group 2 breadmaking wheat resistant to barley yellow dwarf virus and orange wheat blossom midge. It is joined by RGT Hexton – a barn-filling Group 4 soft wheat.

RGT Goldfinch

Goldfinch is the latest wheat variety from RAGT’s Genserus breeding programme, which provides season-long protection against BYDV.

“Using genetics rather than insecticide to prevent BYDV infection greatly simplifies crop management,” explains RAGT arable technical manager Andrew Creasy.

“It removes the need to monitor and control aphid vectors for less than the cost of buying and applying a single pyrethroid spray,” adds Mr Creasy. This is good news economically and environmentally, he says.

Additional resistance to orange wheat blossom midge means RGT Goldfinch growers can apply with confidence for the £45/ha payment from Defra’s Sustainable Farming Incentive for growing an arable crop without insecticide.

“The variety has good protein content and an excellent and resilient Hagberg score, which, along with encouraging results in provisional milling and baking tests, underlines its potential as a breadmaking wheat,” says Mr Creasy.

RGT Goldfinch has an outstanding foliar disease-resistance profile, better than any other Group 1 or 2 on the Recommended List. It scores 8 for mildew resistance, 9 for both yellow and brown rust resistance and 7 for Septoria tritici resistance.

It is best suited to well-bodied land and can be sown from early September, ideal for a BYDV-resistant variety, to the end of November. It produced very high yields under BYDV pressure in RAGT trials and in commercial situations last season.

“Overall, RGT Goldfinch is a robust wheat that will withstand disease and pest pressure better than most,” says Andrew. “It can be relied upon to deliver high quality grain.”

RGT Hexton

Barn-filling Group 4 soft wheat RGT Hexton has a good disease resistance package, making it a strong contender on farm next autumn as growers look to replace older varieties coming under increasing pressure.

Hexton is the highest yielding Group 4 soft approved for distilling, with a UK yield of 105 and an exceptional 111 in the northern region.

“RGT Hexton’s output has been consistent wherever it is grown,” says Mr Creasy. “It produces the goods as a first or second wheat on light or heavy land and can be sown from the last week of September onwards.

“Growers don’t have to worry about pushing harvest back too much, as it is a medium-maturing type with short stiff straw and a decent specific weight, providing useful insurance if harvest is delayed.”

RGT Hexton has good resistance against Septoria tritici and yellow rust (both scored at 7), with a 6 for mildew and 5 for brown rust.

It is also resistant to orange wheat blossom midge, a prerequisite for the increasing number of growers turning away from insecticides.

“We think RGT Hexton will have widespread appeal across the UK. The variety has no Achilles heel, and the combination of an exceptional yield and suitability for distilling make it even more attractive for growers.”

Goldfinch strengths

• A variety with a very strong disease profile
• Clean, consistent, and sustainable  sample
• Group 2  wheat resistant to BYDV and OWBM

Hexton strengths

• Consistent performance in range of conditions
• Stiff strawed crop with  good specific weight
• First or second wheat with wide sowing window

New managing director for RAGT UK

Plant breeder RAGT UK has promoted business leader Helen Wilson (left) as the company’s managing director – bringing a range of experience to the role.

Ms Wilson joined RAGT UK in 2013 as a product develop-ment specialist, managing the grass, maize and soil health plants portfolios. She was then appointed head of forage crops in 2016, covering the UK and Nordic and Baltic regions.

For the past three years Ms Wilson has worked for RAGT Group’s as a business leader for Asia and Oceania, integrating New Zealand and Australian subsidiaries into the group and exploring new opportunities in south-east Asia.

Portfolio

RAGT northern Europe commercial director Simon Howell said: “Under Helen’s guidance, RAGT UK will continue to develop its highly successful multi-species portfolio. We are confident her appointment will secure a strong future for the business.”

Ms Wilson said: “I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to lead RAGT UK. The skills and experiences I have gained from my international role within the wider group will be invaluable in my new role.”