Know How / Variety selection

Case studies

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WHEAT

Durham grower turns to 'regen' wheat variety

Durham grower Philip Vickers has turned to a relatively new feed wheat variety to help build a more sustainable regenerative cropping system involving direct-drilling and reduced synthetic crop inputs. Philip,…

VARIETY SELECTION

Wheat blends prove simple way to boost average yields

Growing a mix of different wheat varieties, known as a “blend”, rather than planting a single variety has proven to increase average wheat yields by nearly 0.5t/ha, reveals independent farm trial data.…

WHEAT

No-insecticide wheat yields over 10t/ha for Norfolk grower

Norfolk grower Will More is planning a second season of drilling a virus-resistant wheat variety with environmental and financial benefits, while also producing a good yield at harvest 2023. Using…

HARVEST

Harvest 2023: New winter barley impresses in Yorkshire

Yorkshire Wolds grower Mark Ullyott is impressed with the new winter barley variety Caravelle, saying it is the best seed crop of barley he has grown for more than 10…

VARIETY SELECTION

Soft feed wheat newcomer looks promising for the North

New soft-milling feed wheat variety Zealum is attracting interest from growers and merchants, especially in Scotland, as it shows better disease resistance and stiffer straw than old favourites Barrell and…

Practical advice

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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…

BARLEY

Winter malting variety may help limit swing to spring barleys

Winter malting barley purchases by leading maltsters have fallen sharply over the past few decades and the advent of a new variety is seen as helping to give a more…

BARLEY

Advice on growing malting barley to gain from high premiums

Premiums of £55-£60/t for malting barley are being offered this harvest, with the price supported by beer's history of being recession-proof and the post-Covid recovery in beer sales. For these…

Insights

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VARIETY SELECTION

Which spring barley varieties to consider for 2024

Just four spring barley varieties make up the majority of seed sales in England, despite there being many more choices on the AHDB Recommended List. The testing system for the…

PULSES

PGRO adds 11 new pea and bean varieties to 2024 list

Pulse growers have more choice with seven new peas and five beans making their debut on the variety list, offering higher yields and better disease resistance. The Processors and Growers…

VARIETY SELECTION

New wheat and barley varieties rejuvenate Recommended Lists

The latest winter wheat varieties to be added to the AHDB Recommended List for 2024-25 are expected to breathe new life into at least two end-use groups, with most of…

VARIETY SELECTION

What the 6 additions bring to the new-look OSR Recommended List

The new-look AHDB Recommended List (RL) for oilseed rape welcomes six new varieties, including three top-yielding hybrids from the same breeder and a conventional with substantial yield gains. Limagrain’s trio…

VARIETY SELECTION

Why more growers are opting for key early spring oat variety

A spring oat variety is finding favour with Scottish growers as well as those in the South because of its high disease resistance and strong yield potential. Spring oats have…

HARVEST

Harvest 2023: The 5 top-yielding spring barley varieties map

Throughout harvest 2023, we are updating our handy map with the latest data from 2023’s AHDB spring barley Recommended List harvest results. Use the map below to find the five…

ARABLE

Seed sales show heavy reliance on a limited number of varieties

After a testing season and difficult harvest, growers are sticking to a narrow range of varieties for the new cropping year. Farmers Weekly finds out what’s filling the drills. See…

VARIETY SELECTION

Why OSR vigour and late disease score is key to 2023 yields

Oilseed rape varieties with good early vigour and resistance to late season disease have been the top performers in Agrii’s variety plots in Lincolnshire. Like many areas of the UK,…

HARVEST

Harvest 2023: The 5 top-yielding winter wheat varieties map

Throughout the harvest season, we are updating our handy map with the latest data from 2023’s AHDB wheat Recommended List harvest results. Use the map below to find the five…