A two-row dual-purpose spring malting barley with good malting traits has made its debut on the Recommended List. Shona promises to be a strong future choice for both maltsters and growers in the east of England, says George Hebdon, barley breeder for Elsoms Ackermann, the company behind the variety.... Read more

A new winter wheat resistant to barley yellow dwarf virus is closing the yield gap with varieties without the trait, says Yielding 102.8% on the new Recommended List, RGT Guardsman is the first BYDV-resistant wheat to yield greater than 100% of the controls – a significant landmark in the... Read more

Five newly recommended varieties from plant breeder Senova promise stronger yields, better disease resistance and reliable grain quality. Covering barley, oats, wheat and triticale, the five varieties aim to expand growers’ choices – offering gains in each of these areas as growers plan arable rotations for 2026 and beyond.... Read more

New provisional Group 1 wheat Arlington has joined the 2026/27 Recommended List – with a promising mix of yield and grain quality. The variety offers significant potential for growers and millers alike, says DSV UK wheat breeder Matt Kerton. “Arlington is a variety that perfectly balances strong yield, top-tier... Read more

Seed breeder KWS has three new winter wheats on the 2026/27 Recommended List (RL) – including the new highest-yielding variety. KWS Aintree promises high, reliable yields while KWS Fowlmere stands out for its exceptionally early maturity. In addition, KWS Grebe offers the rare benefit of Orange Wheat Blossom Midge... Read more

Farmers will find a leaner but more finely tuned set of combinable crop varieties choices in the newly released recommended list for 2026/27. Updated AHDB guidance for cereals and oilseeds places emphasis on clearer differentiation, stronger yields and a tightening focus on disease resistance after a turbulent year for... Read more

Spring barley Belter has received full approval for brewing from the Malting Barley Committee, says breeder Secobra UK. The UK-bred variety also secures a leading position on the 2026 AHDB Spring Barley Recommended List. It marks a significant step for growers across Norfolk, Suffolk and the wider east of... Read more

Spring linseed Nulin50 has been listed as a top performer by Premium Crops, the specialist supplier of alternative seed varieties. The latest assessment places Nulin50 at the top of the supplier’s 2026 Variety Assessment table for overall performance. It ranks highest when yield, oil content and alpha-linolenic acid content... Read more

A major potato pest has been eradicated from the UK, says the government, following a two-year investigation and ongoing surveillance work. It follows the discovery of Colorado beetle on a Kent farm in 2023. The beetle can completely strip the leaves from potato plants – devastating the crop if... Read more

Using tailored agronomy and precision farming to achieve crop potential will be a key message at LAMMA next month. With many combinable crops establishing well thanks to the kind autumn, there’s a lot of potential to play for this season, says Rob Adamson, head of technical development at agronomy... Read more