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6 of the best wheat varieties to look out for

Expert insight from Trevor Cope 

Though there are a lot of varieties to choose from, and a lot of varieties grown, there are some we can suggest that will create more interest than others. 

In terms of choosing a Group 1 milling variety, they all have their various attributes but have the capabilities of achieving the quality required to meet the end-user. 

Skyfall is the current most widely grown of the options available and will most likely be again for this autumn. Nelson is another option to consider where it offers the cost-conscious grower the opportunity to save on inputs, due to its outstanding disease resistance, especially to septoria tritici, and achieve a Premium OVER and ABOVE the standard Group 1 premiums available.

Albeit Group 2 varieties offer a reduced milling premium they are also a consideration for growing as a high yielding feed wheat too. One variety, in particular, has created considerable interest and already C2 seed availability is under pressure. That variety is KWS EXTASE.

It offers an excellent agronomic and disease resistance package with high treated and the highest untreated yields. It combines excellent resistance to yellow and brown rust with exceptional resistance to septoria tritici, with stiff medium height straw with good lodging resistance. KWS EXTASE looks set to become a very popular variety across the UK.

Another positive addition to the Group 4 feed varieties is newcomer RGT SAKI.  A medium tall variety, RGT SAKI shows excellent all-round disease resistance with a 9 resistance rating for yellow rust, an 8 for brown rust and a very good 6.8 for Septoria tritici. RGT SAKI has been one of the standout varieties in this year’s trials where it has held up better against the high levels of disease better than most. We would describe RGT SAKI as a good-looking wheat in the sense that it has very good eye appeal and suggest it will become a widely grown variety in the feed wheat sector.

Already an established variety we feel GRAHAM will continue to be a popular choice, especially in the west where its excellent septoria tritici resistance is a major plus. With a relative taller straw and good standing power it offers mixed farms the benefit of high feed wheat yields and some useful straw yields too.

For anyone looking to grow Group 3 biscuit quality wheats, KWS Firefly would appear to be a strong candidate. It has the highest treated yield of the varieties in this sector with short stiff straw. Though its mildew resistance is only average it has good resistance to brown and yellow rust, the best of the GROUP 3’s for Septoria tritici resistance and the added benefit of OWBM resistance.

Contact our specialists to learn more!