When to drill Consort

10 November 1999



When to drill Consort

Question

HOW late can you drill consort wheat in wet heavy clay?

Response

Dr John Howie, cereal product manager, PBI Cambridge

Answer

According to NIAB, the official date is the end of January, although some people have been known to drill winter wheat in February.

Consort is a good, all-round variety and will still do well if drilled in November. If you have the option, however, you would do better if you switched to Charger, which would be the optimum for this slot.

Another option for difficult seedbeds would be Napier. It develops rapidly in November and has a high tillering capacity.

Response

Debbie Beaton, Crops

Answer

Consort is not considered to be a variety suited to late drilling, unlike varieties such as Charger, so any time beyond mid- to late October may require caution.

Crops carried an article on which varieties are best drilled late in the 16 October issue, page 26