THE FIRST oilseed rape variety from RAGT Seeds will make its debut at this year’s Cereals Event.

The low biomass variety, Grizzly, failed to make the HGCA Recommended List in 2005, despite top ratings for lodging resistance at flowering (score 8) and good stem-canker and light leaf spot resistance (both scored 7), the firm said.

“Grizzly is especially well adapted for growing conditions in the ‘canker triangle’ of east, south and central England,” said Mike Pickford of Cambrian Seeds, who represents Grizzly in the UK.

The variety also has a prostrate growth habit and delayed spring stem elongation, making it suited to early sowing, he said.

“It will not become too proud in the autumn or early spring when frost can damage the plant and reduce yield potential.”

In HGCA trials last year, Grizzly yielded 99% of fungicide treated control and has a high oil content of 44.3%.