Recommended List's notable varieties for northern growers

The group one variety, KWS Vibe has generated a great deal of interest, mainly due to one specific feature, said Mr Knightbraid.

“KWS Vibe represents a significant milestone which sets it apart from its rivals, in terms of disease resistance. While the majority of growers in the North of England will opt for a feed wheat, KWS Vibe could allow the opportunity to grow a bread-making quality crop. The premiums being offered for meeting bread-making specification are currently quite attractive and it is coupled with strong domestic demand for the product.

“The untreated yield of KWS Vibe is 19 per cent higher than stablemate KWS Zyatt, and 25 per cent higher than the very popular RGT Skyfall, demonstrating Vibe’s dramatic improvement in disease resistance. Without exception, every one of the other group one varieties on the market carry weaknesses for one or more diseases, but KWS Vibe is an excellent all-rounder including a 6.6 rating for resistance Septoria tritici, for example.

“Overall, KWS Vibe is the second-highest yielding within its sector and it has a figure of 99 per cent in northern trials. The variety also has the short, stiff straw and early maturity that will suit northern growers, most of whom will prioritise an early harvest. They are keen to avoid the risks associated with cutting the crop in late season, as it increases the likelihood of high rainfall and grain quality issues.”

His first choice in the group four feed wheats is KWS Scope.

“It is the highest-yielding variety across the Recommended List, with a yield score of 108 per cent for the UK. This puts it ahead of the main alternatives, which are KWS Dawsum (103 per cent), LG Beowulf (105 per cent) and Champion, from DSV (107 per cent).

“KWS Scope looks extremely good on paper, as it has come out well in trials over three years, during which it has been subject to a wide range of weather conditions. It has stiff straw and scores well for disease resistance, including genetic resistance to orange wheat blossom midge. Consistency is the number one feature for growers countrywide and Scope could fit the bill.”

KWS Arnie is the strongest new contender among the group two breadmaking wheats, according to Mr Knightbraid.

“I suggest KWS Arnie as a viable replacement for KWS Extase which is in its sixth year and has a falling market share. KWS Arnie leads in its sector on yield and has strong Septoria tritici resistance, with a 7.0 rating. It is stiff strawed and is similar to KWS Extase on maturity, with early harvest potential.”

Winter barleys are very well represented among the new introductions to the Recommended List, he added.

“No fewer than 14 new barleys have been introduced for the coming season,” he said. “Aside from performance consistency, the main grower requirements are high yields for boosting gross output, robust disease resistance, and favourable scores for standing power and grain quality.”

He selected the conventional two-row barley, KWS Valencis, as one of the strongest contenders.

“It has taken the lead on yield on the List and it has a decent overall profile for disease resistance, as well as stiff straw,” he said. “Its 69.8kg/hl figure for bushel weight may not be outstanding, but it meets all the other criteria for the North of England. The industry had KWS Orwell as the mainstay in this section and it was then overtaken by Tardis, from the same breeder. The trials results for KWS Valencis look similar, but it offers a three to four per cent yield bonus.”

In the same sector is Kitty, from Senova.

“Kitty sits in the middle of the pack on yield countrywide, but its stand-out feature for the North is a score of 108% in trials, so it is worth a mention. It has shown above average performance on quality, with a bushel weight of 72.7kg/hl, when the average figure is 70. This could make it very attractive as a crop grown for livestock feed.”

The new hybrid barley addition, SY Kestrel has a unique feature in its class, he explained.

“It is the first hybrid barley to come with barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) resistance. This is a significant step forward in the sector, because the disease causes widespread yield losses in the UK and across Europe. Breeders have made greater advances in hybrid barley breeding, compared with the progress made on conventional varieties.”

Mr Knightbraid made no apologies for highlighting a large number of varieties from a single seed breeder for the coming season.

“Limagrain has dominated the ranks in recent years, but plant breeding success tends to come in cycles and KWS is enjoying the top spot at present. There is certainly no shortage of varieties to choose from on the latest Recommended List," he concluded.