Archive Article: 1997/07/05
KEY: NIAB UK recommendation categories: G = general use. S = special use. P = provisional. R = regional use. O = becoming outclassed. n/a = not applicable
KEY: NIAB UK recommendation categories: G = general use. S = special use. P = provisional. R = regional use. O = becoming outclassed. n/a = not applicable
KEY: NIAB UK recommendation categories: G = general use. S = special use. P = provisional. R = regional use. O = becoming outclassed. n/a = not applicable
VARIETY BREEDER/ YIELD PROFILE
AGENT RATING
% of treated
control
GROUP 2: MODERATE BREADMAKING (continued)
Soissons (RS) Elsoms Seeds 95 French-bred, awned breadmaking variety, grown by a loyal band of growers in the south, keen
on its earliness. A fall in area has led to millers chasing scarce supplies, pushing up premiums
– so demand could rise again this autumn to give 3-4% market share. Early vigour – so
mustnt be sown before October. Good specific weight, protein and hagberg; potentially
susceptible to eyespot and brown rust
Shiraz (S) CPB Twyford n/a Again, officially in the spring wheat category – but is mainly late autumn sown. Unusually for a
bread wheat, has soft endosperm. Marketed under premium buy-back contracts with Allied
Grain and Fishers. Mixed disease resistance, moderate standing power. Yields 2% over
Hereward late sown
GROUP 3: BISCUIT/CAKE
Consort (G) PBI Cambridge 102 Alternative soft biscuit wheat to Riband – but it hasnt yet managed to topple its rival. Only
slightly better disease resistance and yield, and shorter, stiff straw. Better grain characteristics;
export milling potential. Market share could rise slightly from 11-12% this autumn, says breeder.
Encore (O) PBI Cambridge 101 The competition is just too intense, and so this soft wheat is now outclassed. Good disease
resistance, but poor resistance to sprouting in a wet harvest. Given a medium rating for
distilling in Scotland
Riband (G) PBI Cambridge 100 Still keeps on going, despite poor disease resistance and lowish yields, hanging on to a 19% market share – but might disease problems this year tip the balance? Secret of its
enduring appeal is short, stiff straw and ready buyers – in export, biscuit and Scottish distilling
markets
GROUP 4: FEED
Beaufort (O) PBI Cambridge 102 Showed surprisingly high yields last year; breeder is appealing at its outclassed classification.
Excellent disease resistance from this hard feed wheat; high specific weight
Brigadier (G) Zeneca Seeds 104 Top performance hard feed wheat, but badly hit by yellow rust this summer – no doubt this will affect the market share, currently 19%. Short, stiff straw, but needs good fungicide programme. Has been included in milling grists due to hardness characteristics – but only in dry harvests, and no premiums have materialised
Dynamo (O) Nickerson Seeds 101 Limited seed available. Hard feed with excellent eyespot and yellow rust resistance
Hunter (O) PBI Cambridge 100 Soft wheat with good disease resistance. Not rated as suitable for biscuits
Hussar (G) Zeneca Seeds 102 Sister hard endosperm variety to Brigadier but with better disease resistance, though weaker
strawed. Also better grain characteristics – good specific weight and hagberg. Market share of
6%; could fall slightly
Buster (S) Nickerson Seeds 101 Short, extremely stiff and with excellent yellow rust resistance – to all strains. For this season,
contracts with a small premium over feed (up to 4%) on offer from Dalgety Agriculture and
Nickerson Seeds, for inclusion in animal feed rations. This interest could boost its market
share; from 3 to 10% suggests the breeder
Reaper (PG) New Farm Crops 104 The hard feed challenger to Brigadier. Although Reaper is susceptible to yellow rust, it doesnt
appear to succumb as badly. Shows the highest untreated yield on the Recommended List.
Weaker strawed than Brigadier. Breeder predicts market share will grow to 13-14% this
autumn, and suggests it may have some potential in domestic and export milling grists
Equinox (PG) CPB Twyford 104 High yielding hard feed newcomer with grower appeal – exceptionally short and stiff. Breeder
predicts 10% market share within two years. May be a good choice on drought-prone sites. A
question mark remains over resistance to yet another strain of yellow rust. Bold grains, but
specific weight can be a touch low
Harrier (PG) Zeneca Seeds 104 Exceptionally high yields last season carried Harrier through onto the Recommended List,
following an appeal by the breeder. Weaker strawed, lowish hagberg. Good disease resistance,
bar some susceptibility to yellow rust. Though a soft wheat, not rated by millers as likely to
attract a biscuit premium. Sufficient seed for 1.5% market share
Madrigal (RPG) PBI Cambridge 103 One for the north? As a soft wheat, this newcomer may have potential in the Scottish distilling
market. Not classified as a biscuit wheat by millers. High yields and short straw. May be
susceptible to another new yellow rust race
KEY: NIAB UK recommendation categories: G = general use. S = special use. P = provisional. R = regional use. O = becoming outclassed. n/a = not applicable
VARIETY BREEDER/ YIELD PROFILE
AGENT RATING
% of treated
control
MALTING (CONTINUED)
Puffin (S) Zeneca Seeds 95 Original dual purpose feed/malting variety, now looking outclassed. Maltsters are recognising
its decline – and have removed IOB approval. Market share predicted to fall from 3% to 1%.
IOB STATUS: Removed
Regina (PS) British Seed 106 Of the two-rows, its top of the tree for yield, with good malting quality as a bonus. All thats
Houses missing is the full seal of approval from maltsters, said to be pending. Weak against yellow rust and mildew, good resistance to rhyncho and net blotch. Exceptionally stiff short straw, large grain, and late maturity. Market share of 7% could more than treble this autumn
IOB STATUS: Provisional approval for all UK
Rifle (PG) Nickerson Seeds 102 Promising newcomer, with what looks to be excellent malting quality, but the IOB verdict
awaits more information. Excellent all-round disease resistance. Late maturity. Breeder
predicts 6-7% market share this autumn
IOB STATUS: Deferred for more information
Sunrise (O) Nickerson Seeds 100 Some malting potential, but not good enough to rescue this variety from a downward slide. Its
good resistance to barley yellow and mild mosaic viruses is now superseded by other varieties
IOB STATUS: Not approved
MALTING (not recommended)
Maris Otter PBI Cambridge Lower than An old favourite with some brewers for specialist ales. Contracts on offer, but these need to be Halcyon high enough to offset low yields, weak straw and poor disease resistance
IOB STATUS: Removed
Spice Zeneca Seeds Level with Although it didnt make the UK Recommended List, contracts are available for specialist use. Pastoral Breeder predicts 1% market share. Late maturity, fairly long, weak straw.
Excellent all-round disease resistance
FEED: SIX ROWS
Manitou (G) Dalgety Agric 108 High yielding six-row barley, with a following in the north. Good winter hardiness, early
maturing. Low specific weight. Good resistance to rhyncho
Muscat (PG) CPB Twyford 110 Breaks the records for barley yields, and unusually for a six-row, has good specific weight. Also
offers some low grade malting potential. Longer strawed and later than Manitou. Good
resistance to net blotch and to barley yellow and mild mosaic viruses. Breeder reports seed sold
out last season; predicts a 4% market share this autumn
FEED: TWO ROWS
Epic (S) Nickerson Seeds 99 On the way out. Was specially recommended for resistance to barley yellow and mild mosaic
viruses – but now superseded by new varieties
Fighter (G) Nickerson Seeds 100 On the way down in popularity, but good disease resistance makes this a cost- saving variety.
Stiff strawed, and later maturity, so more attractive to southern growers. Some low grade
malting quality. Market share coming back to 7-8%
Gaelic (G) Elsoms Seeds 103 High yielding, short and stiff French-bred barley, with early vigour – so should not be sown
before October. Late maturity, generally good disease resistance but not that brilliant against
rhyncho. Good specific weight. Market share has dropped back to 3%
Hanna (G) Sharpes Int 104 Demand for this high yielding variety will be steady at 4%, predicts breeder. Bold grain, stiff
straw and good disease resistance bar mildew. High untreated yield
Intro (G) CPB Twyford 102 Large bold grained barley with long straw, popular with livestock producers. Some low grade
malting quality. Good disease resistance, but watch out for rhyncho. This autumn a 11-12%
market share predicted
Linnet (G) Nickerson Seeds 102 Despite exceptionally stiff straw, good yields and specific weight, Linnet has never challenged
Pastoral
Pastoral (G) Nickerson Seeds 102 The following for this popular feed barley is declining but slowly – Pastoral could still hang on to a 7-8% share this autumn. Soft but stiff straw has proved an attraction for livestock
producers. Some low grade malting quality; weak against mildew
Sprite (0) PBI Cambridge 95 Almost gone from the scene. Removal of IOB approval for the north signed the death warrant
for this long strawed barley
KEY: NIAB UK recommendation categories: G = general use. S = special use. P = provisional. R = regional use. O = becoming outclassed. n/a = not applicable
VARIETY BREEDER/ YIELD PROFILE
AGENT RATING
% of treated
control
GROUP 1: BREADMAKING
Abbot (PG) PBI Cambridge 99 New breadmaking wheat provisionally awarded top quality rating by the millers. Might this be
the long-awaited replacement for Hereward? Excellent grain quality, short straw and good
disease resistance – as well as high yields. Enough seed about for a 2-3% market share this
autumn
Hereward (G) PBI Cambridge 94 Still the millers favourite with 7% of the market – but for how much longer? Watch out for
blackpoint in some seasons, which means rejection. Yield is slipping; a good premium is
needed. Stiff straw, excellent specific weight, high protein and hagberg
Mercia (O) PBI Cambridge 90 On the way out. Low yield, and a continuing problem with mildew – particularly severe last
season
Spark (G) Nickerson 93 A high protein, high Zeleny variety, holding on to a steady, but small 1% market share. Its spring
Seeds wheat parentage is clearly visible as longish straw and small, distinctive ears; it can be sown
until mid March. Good mildew resistance
GROUP 2: MODERATE BREADMAKING
Cadenza (S) CPB Twyford 96 The first wheat to target the late autumn sown slot, with no vernalisation requirement. But
appeal has waned. Can be drilled from Oct to mid April – but beware: not to be sown too early.
Good disease and sprouting resistance. Long straw only moderate strength, early maturing. High zeleny and hagberg
Caxton (PG) Elsoms Seeds 96 Failed to be promoted to Group 1 classification, but still very attractive to some millers. Higher
yielding than Hereward. Is short, stiff and early – just the ticket for a milling variety. Some
weakness with specific weight and disease resistance. Demand rising to 2% this autumn,
predicts breeder
Chablis (G) CPB Twyford n/a Recommended as a spring wheat, so NIAB yield rating is not comparable – but in late autumn sown trials is on par with Brigadier and 11% over Hereward. Breeder suggests sowing from mid Oct onwards. Good disease resistance and grain characteristics, very high hagberg. Short;
standing power is moderate. Mixed reception by millers
Charger (PG) PBI Cambridge 103 High yields and some as yet undefined breadmaking potential. Good export potential into
foreign milling markets. Excellent mildew and yellow rust resistance. Good performance as late
autumn sown wheat, according to breeder, who predicts a 6-7% market share
Imp (PG) Nickerson n/a Another spring wheat with high yield potential late sown; 7% over Hereward. Good resistance
Seeds to mildew. Mixed reception initially by millers
Rialto (G) PBI Cambridge 102 High yields and quality premiums have attracted loyal followers; others deterred by some
concern over variable hagberg. Export milling potential. Thought to be a good choice in
drought conditions. Growth regulator advised. Good grain characters and high zeleny;
susceptible to brown rust. Market share of 4%
Soissons (RS)Elsoms Seeds95French-bred, awned breadmaking variety, grown by a loyal band of growers in the south, keen on its earliness. A fall in area has led to millers chasing scarce supplies, pushing up premiums – so demand could rise again this autumn to give 3-4% market share. Early vigour – so mustnt be sown before October. Good specific weight, protein and hagberg; potentially susceptible to eyespot and brown rust
Shiraz (S)CPB Twyfordn/aAgain, officially in the spring wheat category – but is mainly late autumn sown. Unusually for a bread wheat, has soft endosperm. Marketed under premium buy-back contracts with Allied Grain and Fishers. Mixed disease resistance, moderate standing power. Yields 2% over Hereward late sown
VARIETY BREEDER/ YIELD PROFILE
AGENT RATING
% of treated
control
NOT RECOMMENDED
Drake New Farm Crops Brigadier Soft variety which failed to make the UK Recommended List due to weak
level, or over straw, but with good disease resistance (including yellow rust), high tillering and high yields,
future reconsideration by NIAB is not ruled out. Possible biscuit potential. Being marketed by
some merchants
Jacadi Harlow Just under Hard, French-bred, awned variety with some Group 2-type milling
Agricultural Brigadier level potential and early maturity, sold on buy-back contracts through various merchants at £5/t
over feed. Drilling after late September. Disease management required; good grain characters
Malacca CPB Twyford About at Hard milling wheat, provisionally rated a top Group 1 breadmaker by
Riband level millers. Offered under buy-back contracts from Dalgety, Allied, Fishers and Burlinghams, for a
premium similar to Herewards, but with 4% more yield. Stiff straw, good grain characters,
early maturing. Susceptible to a new race of yellow rust
Maverick Zeneca Seeds Higher than Hard wheat for specialist use by Allied Mills – but a breadmaking spec is not demanded. Sold Brigadier exclusively under buy-back contracts from Allied Grain and Fishers with a £2/t premium over feed. Exceptionally high yields, but straw needs growth regulator and is susceptible to yellow rust
Raleigh New Farm Crops Brigadier level Sold exclusively through MSF. High yielding hard wheat with short straw, good
disease resistance, particularly against yellow rust
Ritmo Cargill On par with Hard feed wheat with high Zeleny, giving intervention potential, ,according to agent. Widely Brigadier grown in France and Germany. Good bushel weight, disease resistance mixed. Straw strength similar to Brigadier
Shango PBI Cambridge Similar to Breadmaking variety sold exclusively through buy-back contracts with Cargill
Riband and Banks, for Group 2 type premiums. Not classified by millers. Mildew needs control, and
growth regulator advisable. Good grain characteristics
Vivant PBI Cambridge Between Hard feed wheat, with good disease resistance. Taking market share in France and Holland. Riband and Long straw, but reasonably stiff
Brigadier
WINTER BARLEY
MALTING
Angora (PS) Banks 100 Specialist markets in the south, for this exceptionally stiff, short strawed malting barley. Large
Agriculture grain, early maturity. Good resistance to rhyncho but susceptible to yellow rust. Sister variety to
German-bred Melanie
IOB STATUS: Approved for central, south-east and south-west regions
Fanfare (G) Zeneca Seeds 104 There were high hopes from this high yielding malting barley – but theres some concern over
dormancy, and a question mark as to whether all maltsters are equally keen to buy it. With late
maturity; possibly more suited to the south. Short but only moderately stiff; some crops have
gone down under heavy rain this season. Good disease resistance; very high specific weight.
Current market share of 10% may drop back slightly
IOB STATUS: Approved for central, south-east and south-west regions
Gleam (PG) New Farm 102 Prospects look good for this high yielding malting variety with short, stiff straw and good
Crops disease resistance, including barley yellow and mild mosaic viruses. Breeder predicts 10-11%
market share this autumn, and full approval from IOB is expected
IOB STATUS: Provisional approval for central, south-east and south-west regions
Halcyon (S) PBI Cambridge 94 Can still attract good premiums, despite being the oldest recommended variety – breeder
reckons market share could possibly increase this autumn to 9-10%. Optimistic? With long
weak straw, late maturity and rhyncho susceptible, needs careful management
IOB STATUS: Approved for all UK
Melanie (S) New Farm 99 Not as short as Angora, but otherwise similar. Stiff and early, has attracted support in Scotland
Crops and the north, for specialist malting use. Susceptible to yellow rust. Breeder estimates market
share at 5-6%
IOB STATUS: Approved for all UK
Pipkin (S) PBI Cambridge 95 Old-stager, still preferred by some brewers (2-3% market share), but weak straw and extreme
susceptibility to mildew and rhyncho need careful management. Small grain, late maturing
IOB STATUS: Approved for central, south-east and south-west regions
OILSEED RAPE
VARIETY YIELD OIL PROFILE BREEDER/AGENT
RATING %
% of treated
control
RECOMMENDED
Alpine (PG) 103 44.5 High oil content. Good light leaf spot resistance, short, reasonably stiff, and slightly earlier Novartis Seeds
to mature than Apex. Early flowering
Amber (RG) 101 44.2 Recommended for central, south-east and south-west, due to late maturity. Good Zeneca Seeds
light leaf spot resistance. Bit taller than Apex. Breeder predicts 2% market share
Apex (G) 100 44.1 Will still be the most popular choice, due to the harvestability factor, suggests breeder. Last season Zeneca Seeds
it took a 62% market share – will growers feel its time for a change this autumn?
Arietta (RPG) 102 43.9 Failing to take off as Apex successor; similar maturity, but not as stiff or short. Provisionally Zeneca Seeds
recommended for central, south-east and south-west regions. Good light leaf spot resistance
Artus (PG) 114 43.1 One of the two fertile hybrids, bred in Germany. Not a varietal association – which should rule CPB Twyford
out any query on pollination. High yields, this one of the pair could be a touch tall and weak for
fertile sites. Good resistance to light leaf spot. Seed supplies limited
Bristol (O) 98 44.1 On the way out, mainly due to susceptibility to light leaf spot British Seed Houses
Capitol (RPG) 103 43.4 Medium to late maturity and weak stemmed – but good disease resistance. Provisionally Cargill
recommended for central, south-east and south-west regions. Good autumn vigour; low
seed rate (5kg/ha) required. Breeder predicts 5% market share
Cobra (O) 102 42.2 Still has a small but loyal following, in Scotland, due to early maturity CPB Twyford
Commanche (RG) 98 44.5 Fully recommended in the north, sold exclusively through Dalgety. Scottish market share up to CPB Twyford
30% – the appeal is its earliness, high oil content and good light leaf spot resistance
Contact (PG) 104 44.6 New entrant; at last a high yielding variety with short stiff straw to match Apex. Will it be the Cargill
challenger? Slightly earlier to ripen. High oil content; glucosinolates a touch high if saving seed?
Express (S) 98 44.9 Potential for oil premiums, but not a top yielder. Moderate to early maturity, and short stiff straw CPB Twyford
gives it support in Scotland; breeder predicts 5% market share
Falcon (RG) 102 43.3 Recommended for the north due to early maturity and consistency. Had a good run last year; likely to CPB Twyford
continue steady at about 7% market share (40% or so in Scotland)
Gazelle (RG) 103 42.3 Recommended for the north, due to combination of exceptionally early maturity, and late Danisco
flowering. Has a weakness to stem canker but not likely to pose a problem in Scotland. Little
weak against light leaf spot. Market share possibly 20% in Scotland
Herald (PG) 107 43.1 High yielding newcomer with good light leaf spot resistance. Short, slightly earlier Danisco
than Apex, moderate stem stiffness
Inca (O) 98 43.5 Has found a niche as a variety on set-aside (through Daltons). Stiff, good resistance to light leaf spot CPB Twyford
Jazz (RPG) 103 42.9 Provisionally recommended in the south-east. Weak stemmed CPB Twyford
Licrown (PG) 107 44 High yielding newcomer with moderately weak straw. Glucosinolates slightly high. Good Perryfields
disease resistance – particularly against phoma stem canker. Slightly later and taller than Apex
Lightning (PG) 104 44.2 Late maturing and late flowering, reasonably stiff stemmed variety. Good disease resistance Perryfields
Lipton (PG) 106 44.2 New variety with high yields and good disease resistance. Relatively tall, similar maturity to Apex. Perryfields
Reasonable resistance to lodging
Lizard (RPG) 101 43.4 Regional provisional recommendation for the central, south-east and south-west regions. Perryfields
Tall, but good standing ability. Late flowering
Meteor (PG) 106 43.8 Another high yielding newcomer. Very early flowering, tallish, similar maturity to Apex. Moderate Novartis Seeds
stem stiffness
Pronto (PG) 113 43.6 The other fully fertile, high yielding hybrid – sister to Artus. This one looks more suited to high CPB Twyford
potential sites, with greater stem stiffness. There will be more seed about than with Artus, but not
that much
Synergy (PG) 113 43.6 The first varietal association, and is proving a hard act to beat by other hybrids. As growers gain CPB Twyford
more confidence with its management, breeder expects market share to continue upwards from
current position of 8% – particularly in the north
WINTER WHEAT