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Know How / Wheat / Variety selection

There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing which variety to grow, with markets favouring some and others having a strong regional or rotational reputation. Now with greater focus on their agronomic characteristics, find out which varieties are performing well and proving their worth, whatever their intended end use - milling or feed.

Case studies

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VARIETY SELECTION

Grower reveals top wheat and OSR contenders for autumn 2026

Bedfordshire-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 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…

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.…

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Cotswold flour mill sources grain direct with stacked premiums

An eighth-generation flour mill business is sourcing grain direct from over 150 farms to produce one of the UK’s top artisan flour brands, while enabling growers to stack regenerative farming…

VARIETY SELECTION

New Group 4 spring wheat performs for flood-hit Lincs farmer

A newly recommended Group 4 spring wheat with a flexible drilling window has proved valuable for one flood-hit Lincolnshire farmer, delivering good yields in a challenging season from a late…

Practical advice

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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…

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…

WHEAT

How to choose the best winter wheat variety for sustainability

Five winter wheat varieties – Skyfall, Palladium, Astronomer, Tapestry and Typhoon – have been declared top for sustainability across the five established wheat groups. The agronomy group Agrii has rated…

VARIETY SELECTION

Insecticide-free wheat varieties set for drilling autumn 2023

Insecticide-free winter wheat varieties are set to be available for growers to drill in autumn 2023, as one plant breeder has developed the first wheat varieties with resistance to the…

Insights

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VARIETY SELECTION

Could 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…

VARIETY SELECTION

Why 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 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.…

Online resources from AHDB

AHDB Recommended List 2025-26 Winter wheat

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AHDB Recommended List 2025-26 Winter barley

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AHDB Recommended List 2025 Spring barley

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AHDB Recommended List 2025-26 Winter oilseed rape

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