Know How / Variety selection Case studiesSee all VARIETY SELECTIONGrower reveals top wheat and OSR contenders for autumn 2026Bedfordshire-based farms director Andrew Robinson of Heathcote Farms is a dedicated milling wheat grower so finds himself in a good position on variety choice, given the recent Group1 additions. He… VARIETY SELECTIONWinter malting barley impresses growers and maltstersWinter malting barley variety Buccaneer is continuing to impress growers and maltsters since joining the AHDB Recommended List (RL) in 2023. According to David Griggs, technical director at Crisp Malt,… BARLEYGrowers explain appeal of new winter malting barley varietyWinter malting barley growers are opting for a newer variety, which promises higher yields and good disease resistance. Joining the AHDB Recommended List in late 2022, Buccaneer from Elsoms is… VARIETY SELECTIONWhy Essex grower is expanding Scope wheat area this autumnEssex grower Jeremy Durrant is so impressed with the new top-yielding feed winter wheat variety Scope that it will take up a quarter of his 500ha winter wheat area next… MARKET OPPORTUNITIESGroundswell 2025: Oxfordshire regen farm works with bakery chainA loaf of sourdough on sale in Gail’s bakery, and named after the Oxfordshire farm the flour was sourced from, is described by the bakery chain as a celebration of… VARIETY SELECTIONBedford grower assesses new varieties to replace ExtaseMatt Fuller is set to switch to two new milling wheat varieties this autumn to replace much of his Extase area if the Group 2 millers fulfil their promise on… Practical adviceSee all VARIETY SELECTIONSeed expert's wheat and barley variety tips for autumnWith five new winter wheats and two winter barleys on the Recommended List, should farmers opt for a newcomer, or stick with tried and tested favourites this autumn? Farmers have… CROP MANAGEMENTAdvice on getting the most from Dawsum winter wheatOne of a strong line-up of hard feed wheats available to growers, Dawsum accounts for almost 20% of all the winter wheat being grown in the UK this year. Joining… VARIETY SELECTIONInsecticide-free wheat set for drilling this autumnAn insecticide-free winter wheat variety will be ready for growers to drill this autumn, with the hard-milling feed wheat Grouse hoping to attract interest from those not wanting to spray… ARABLEHow grower adds flexibility with disease-tolerant OSRChanging weather patterns and the opportunity to reduce fungicide spray inputs were behind Lincolnshire grower Nick Wright’s decision to grow the sclerotinia-tolerant winter oilseed rape variety PT303. Having once experienced… BARLEYWhy spring barley can help growers cut their carbon footprintSpring barley can help growers drive down their carbon footprint by using better varietal genetics and using the benefits of cover crops. Spring crops, in general, are seen as better… CROP MANAGEMENTHow to adapt management to specific winter wheat varietiesAs new varieties arrive to the market, crops are planted over a wide drilling window and disease pressure evolves, tailoring winter wheat management to specific variety needs can help farmers… InsightsSee all CROP SELECTIONHow high-protein spring barley can unlock bigger premiumPremiums for spring barley remain weak on the back of low demand from maltsters as consumers, especially younger generations, reduce alcohol consumption. But there could be an emerging market, if… VARIETY SELECTIONCould highest yielding soft wheat be the next market leader?After the recent success of Bamford, which became the UK’s market-leading winter wheat for 2026, could another soft wheat from the same breeder repeat this feat? Will Compson, managing director… ARABLEWhy farmer is swapping feed wheat favourite for new varietyWhat makes a variety a farm favourite? Most farmers would say that it is consistent performance across different situations and seasons. Over the years, several varieties, such as Clare, JB… VARIETY SELECTIONWhy new bread wheat is becoming millers’ favourite Bedfordshire wheat grower Peter Sinnott is impressed with the yield and quality of new milling variety Vibe, and is looking to increase his area if results from the combine match… VARIETY SELECTIONPrecision breeding: Targeted traits or patented problems?Do farmers have the necessary information to make informed decisions about growing precision-bred gene-edited crops in the future? That was the question - albeit one that was only partially answered… VARIETY SELECTIONWinter barley varieties: BYDV debate in high-pressure yearVariety choice has improved for those still growing winter barley, but after such a high-pressure year, the barley yellow dwarf virus tolerance or resistance debate has reopened. Unexpected symptoms of… VARIETY SELECTIONHow sprinter wheats can extend drilling window to springRecent autumns have proven that delaying drilling much beyond the end of October increases risk as weather shuts down opportunities, especially on heavier soil types. But there is always a… VARIETY SELECTIONHow yellow rust threat is reshaping wheat choices for 2026It has been a tough year for some wheat varieties so harvest performance will be key, agree seed and variety experts. There is growing acceptance that most varieties come with… VARIETY SELECTIONHow the newest Group 1 breadmaking wheat stacks upThree new varieties in three consecutive years has seen a much-needed yield lift and better disease ratings for the Group 1 sector, with the latest addition having the second highest… VARIETY SELECTIONVirus-resistant wheat finds favour in disease hotspotA virus-resistant winter wheat variety is showing promising results on the South Downs in Hampshire producing a good milling grain sample while cutting fungicide and insecticide costs. The variety Goldfinch… VARIETY SELECTIONCereals 2026: Hybrid wheats offer yield and consistencyA new generation of hybrid wheat varieties could soon help UK growers break through the yield plateau, thanks to hybrid vigour and more extensive rooting. Other benefits include greater yield… ARABLENew oilseed rape choice shows early promise in NorthumberlandChanging from a trusted variety to a new one can sometimes require a leap of faith, but for Northumberland farmer Andrew Reed, of East Ancroft Farm, it is a move… Online resources from AHDB AHDB Recommended List 2025-26 Winter wheat See the lists AHDB Recommended List 2025-26 Winter barley See the lists AHDB Recommended List 2025 Spring barley See the lists AHDB Recommended List 2025-26 Winter oilseed rape See the lists
