Feed wheat growers can either opt for out and out yield or disease resistance when choosing varieties to plant this autumn.

But those seeking both qualities may be disappointed. Managing risk by cutting back to a manageable area of high-maintenance varieties such as Oakley and filling in the remaining area with easier to manage varieties is a sensible strategy, according to experts.

Growers should only plant a proportion of KWS Oakley that they can spray easily in a day and a half, says David Waite, northern seed commercial manager for Frontier. “It will still give top yields, but you need to be aware of yellow rust and only grow a manageable area.”

Second in the yield race is KWS Conqueror, added to the Recommended List for 2010/11, but low specific weight and mildew susceptibility mean Oakley could still be the better option, says Barry Barker, national seed business manager for Masstock. “If you are happy with Oakley, stick with it,” he says. “There is no point leaping to Conqueror because it may offer better disease resistance.”

Senova’s JB Diego returns 3% lower yields than Oakley on the RL, but it does offer yellow rust resistance and a good specific weight.

“I predict big Diego growth as both first and second wheats,” says Openfield arable technical manager Lee Bennett. “It has good yellow rust resistance and is a good partner to be grown alongside Oakley.”

It is susceptible to brown rust, but so far the disease has not damaged yield potential, says Jeremy Taylor, commercial director for Senova.

JB Diego could lure Oakley growers in with its good characteristics, says Mr Barker. “It is a very solid variety and is not far off Oakley for yield – differences of 4% on the RL shouldn’t be noticeable in field conditions.”

Duxford from Syngenta Seeds has stiff straw, but can’t be planted before mid-September and is susceptible to brown rust. “But it is a good second wheat or late-drilled first wheat,” says Mr Barker. Grafton will attract interest as it has short, stiff straw and early maturity, he adds.

Variety consultant Mike Jeffes says JB Diego, Grafton and Duxford are all good second wheat options. “Grafton is short and early, which is important for establishing a following rape crop. Duxford has more straw, but it’s hard to put a value on combinability,” he says.

Soft Group 4

Viscount from KWS is likely to continue dominating the soft feed wheat market, says Mr Barker. “It is still up there and although there is a yellow rust issue, it can be dealt with.”

Newly recommended Beluga tops Viscount by 2% on yield, offers good performance on heavy ground and is popular with distillers. But it is susceptible to brown rust and a low Hagberg means it could suffer from pre-harvest sprouting.

“Beluga was a bit of a surprise to get onto the RL,” says Mr Jeffes. “There is a brown rust issue and not much seed available – its main appeal will be in the north.”

Mr Bennett likes Beluga’s short, stiff straw and reckons it makes a good second wheat. “But a rating of three for brown rust flatters it – it makes Buster look good.” Viscount and Alchemy are still the top soft Group 4 varieties, he adds.

Viscount and Beluga are ideal for the distilling market, says James Brosnan, research manager at the Scotch Whisky Research Institute. “Viscount is exactly what we want – it has a high alcohol yield, has low viscosity and produces high-quality alcohol where ever is it grown.”

Cassius is an acceptable variety, but viscosity is higher than Viscount and Alchemy produces good quality alcohol, but returns low yields, he says. “Beluga is as good as Viscount and is also promising for ethanol production.” Candidate variety, Denman looks promising for distilling, he adds.