GRAINMIXFORMARKETNEEDS
GRAINMIXFORMARKETNEEDS
Choosing winter wheat
remains a balancing act.
Andrew Blake relays the
latest recommendations
from HGCA-funded trials
WITH nabim Group 1 and 2 winter wheats share of the sown area doubling to 30% in the past two seasons, the overall mix of recommended varieties is more in tune with market needs.
And with prices as low as they are, growers would do well to maintain that balance, suggests NIABs cereals specialist, Richard Fenwick.
Growers aiming for maximum yields of pure feed grain (nabim Group 4) have best options in hard endosperm types Savannah (107)* and Equinox (103) and the softer Madrigal (104).
Others of similar type are Buster (100), Reaper (102) and Hussar (101), though the latter with its only moderate straw strength and yellow rust susceptibility is becoming outclassed. Reaper, too, is declining in popularity, mainly for the same reasons, though it retains good septoria resistance.
Buster is short and stiff and resists all yellow rust races, but its Achilles heel is brown rust. Small premiums for inclusion in pig and poultry rations have helped offset its slightly lower yield, but growers should check that these are still available, Mr Fenwick says.
Outclassed predecessor
Provisionally recommended Savannah is top yielder treated, but is unlikely to match its outclassed predecessor Brigadier (103) in popularity, says Mr Fenwick. Both are very prone to yellow rust. "Many growers are looking for more manageable varieties."
Savannah resists mildew well, but is relatively weak against the septorias.
Equinox, the shortest and stiffest listing, responds well to fertile conditions and is best grown as a first wheat. It too is susceptible to yellow rust. But the race affecting it and Madrigal is not yet as widespread as that which hits Savannah. "So the risk is likely to be less in the short term."
Madrigal has high specific weight, stands well and may also be of interest to northern distillers, making it a useful choice this autumn, he believes.
Stiff-strawed Riband (101), listed for 10 years, is a consistent performer with a wide range of markets – feed, biscuit, export and distilling. But comprehensive fungicide programmes are needed to keep on top of diseases, notably Septoria tritici and brown rust.
Consort (103) and provisionally recommended Claire (103) are the main soft milling nabim Group 3 choices, says Mr Fenwick.
Consort has increasingly taken over from Riband, its popularity and performance recently reflected in its winning of the 1998 NIAB Cereal Award. It accounted for about 24% of the winter wheat seed certified last year.
Suits early drilling
Consorts disease resistance is better than Ribands, though it too is weak on Septoria tritici. "But it is one of the few high yielding varieties with good resistance to yellow rust. It suits early drilling and also does well as a second wheat."
Newly recommended Claire is a slow developer also suited to early sowing. Unique on the list in having top resistance for both yellow and brown rust, it has good defences against all other diseases bar mildew. "With biscuit making potential similar to Consort and Riband it looks a popular choice for this autumn."
Of the nabim Group 1 types, Hereward (93) is expected to retain its top position. But higher yielding newcomers Malacca (98) and Sham-rock (98) look set to challenge it.
Hereward is well liked by millers and breadmakers, and has stiff straw and good all round disease resistance apart from eyespot. But a premium remains a must to offset its relatively low yield.
Other previously Group 1 possibilities, Abbot (97) and Spark (93), are unlikely to have much appeal, Mr Fenwick believes. Both have slipped to the outclassed category.
Abbot needed to retain its Group 1 status to be assured of good premiums, but disappointing baking tests have seen it downgraded to Group 2. Lodging and yellow rust problems have also increased. Spark still merits Group 1 quality. But long, albeit stiff straw and rough ear appearance may account for its lack of grower popularity.
Malacca has the approval of all millers, no chinks in its disease resistance and is stiff-strawed and early. Grain Hagberg is very high, but protein and specific weight are only moderate so appropriate husbandry will be needed to meet end-user standards, says Mr Fenwick.
Shamrock is attracting plenty of attention, not least for its unusually green colour, and there are signs that some millers prefer it to other options. Short and stiff, it resists most diseases well apart from eyespot. "It can also succumb to late brown rust."
Rialto (102) and Charger (102) remain the backbone of nabim Group 2.
"Rialtos main advantage is that its yield is not far off the best feed wheats." But good management is needed to cope with its only moderate straw strength and disease resistance, he warns.
Rust resistant Charger is proving particularly useful for later sowings. Drilled early it can lodge badly. "But sown after mid-October it generally gives no problems." It is short and early, but needs harvesting without delay to avoid sprouting, and an ear wash may be needed to counter its fusarium weakness, he advises.
Soissons (94), also Group 2, should continue to attract a following in the south to meet the early bread-making market. But its limited end uses and extreme susceptibility to brown rust effectively leave it outclassed.
*Treated yield relative to average of Brigadier, Hereward, Hussar, Rialto and Riband. *
Recommended winter wheat nabim groupings
Group 1Proven – Hereward, Spark.Not yet proven in commercial use – Malacca, Shamrock.
Group 2Abbot, Charger, Rialto, Soissons.
Group 3Claire, Consort, Riband.
Group 4Hard – Brigadier, Buster, Equinox, Hussar, Reaper, Savannah.Soft – Buchan, Madrigal.