Know How / Variety selection

Case studies

See all

VARIETY SELECTION

Winter malting barley impresses growers and maltsters

Winter 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,…

BARLEY

Growers explain appeal of new winter malting barley variety

Winter 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 SELECTION

Why Essex grower is expanding Scope wheat area this autumn

Essex 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 OPPORTUNITIES

Groundswell 2025: Oxfordshire regen farm works with bakery chain

A 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 SELECTION

Bedford grower assesses new varieties to replace Extase

Matt 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…

VARIETY SELECTION

Norfolk grower's verdict on new high-protein milling wheat

Norfolk grower Mark Means hopes the new milling winter wheat variety Vibe could become a firm fixture on his farm due to its high protein content and efficient nitrogen use.…

Practical advice

See all

VARIETY SELECTION

Seed expert's wheat and barley variety tips for autumn

With 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 MANAGEMENT

Advice on getting the most from Dawsum winter wheat

One 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 SELECTION

Insecticide-free wheat set for drilling this autumn

An 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…

ARABLE

How grower adds flexibility with disease-tolerant OSR

Changing 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…

BARLEY

Why spring barley can help growers cut their carbon footprint

Spring 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 MANAGEMENT

How to adapt management to specific winter wheat varieties

As 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…

Insights

See all

VARIETY SELECTION

Winter barley varieties: BYDV debate in high-pressure year

Variety 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 SELECTION

How sprinter wheats can extend drilling window to spring

Recent 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 SELECTION

How yellow rust threat is reshaping wheat choices for 2026

It 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 SELECTION

How the newest Group 1 breadmaking wheat stacks up

Three 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 SELECTION

Virus-resistant wheat finds favour in disease hotspot

A 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 SELECTION

Cereals 2026: Hybrid wheats offer yield and consistency

A 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…

VARIETY SELECTION

New wheat variety shows resilience over a testing season

The new winter wheat feed variety Challenger is set to be in high demand for this autumn’s drilling season due to its resilient qualities and good agronomics seen on farm.…

VARIETY SELECTION

Guide to which OSR varieties to drill in summer 2026

A good selection of new and existing winter oilseed rape varieties is being matched by renewed enthusiasm for growing the crop, with better yields, reduced pest pressure and stronger prices…