Arlington secures top-tier milling wheat status

DSV’s Arlington wheat variety has secured full Group 1 milling status, giving growers a new high-yielding option for the UK breadmaking market.

The decision confirms its place among the UK’s premium breadmaking wheats ahead of autumn drilling. The variety combines milling quality with competitive yields at a time when growers face continued pressure to maximise returns.

Previously listed as a provisional Group 1 on the AHDB Recommended List for 2026/27, Arlington has now completed commercial testing and received full approval from UK Flour Millers, said DSV UK wheat breeder Matt Kerton.

He added: “Arlington is a variety that perfectly balances strong yield, top-tier baking performance and excellent agronomic traits, and has the second highest untreated yield on the entire Recommended List.

The variety met the high standards required by millers, said Dr Kerton. “The commercial assessment results from the long-awaited bake by UK Flour Millers, have confirmed what we have seen throughout testing, which is exciting news.”

Joe Brennan, head of technical and regulatory affairs, at UK Flour Millers said: “We hope new Group 1 varieties such as Arlington establish themselves and provide millers a consistent source of high-quality homegrown wheat.”

Resilience

The breeder said Arlington was the highest-yielding Group 1 wheat in the eastern region and the highest-yielding second wheat in the category. Dr Kerton said the variety had been bred to combine end-use quality with strong agronomic resilience.

Arlington has a protein content of 12.5 per cent, a Hagberg Falling Number of 309 seconds and a specific weight of 78.9kg/hl. UK millers have also highlighted its gluten quality, loaf volume and water absorption performance.