Nelson Winter Wheat
High protein, low input milling wheat
Nelson is a high-protein Group E or ‘Elite’ winter wheat that delivers strong grain quality with lower nitrogen inputs. It combines reliable yield, good disease resistance and strong crop competitiveness, making it well suited to conventional, low-input and organic farming systems.
Key credentials for growers
- Group: German E or ‘Elite’ milling wheat
- Market: Milling and feed – with buy backs available through COPE
- Protein: High gluten, strong protein performance
- Nitrogen requirement: Lower input potential
- Drilling: Flexible window from late September to February and early to mature
- Straw: Tall, stiff straw
- Disease: Strong Septoria Tritici resistance with good resistance to all other diseases, including Yellow Rust
- Systems: Conventional, regenerative, low-input and organic
- Blackgrass: Offers good crop competition through its large flagleaf and high biomass
Interested in growing Nelson?
Speak to the team to find out how it could work on your farm.
Why it matters
With rising input costs and increasing pressure on nitrogen use, varieties like Nelson offer a more efficient way to produce high-quality milling wheat.
2025 harvest results
Why choose Nelson?
High protein, lower nitrogen
- Nelson can achieve milling specification without pushing nitrogen inputs.
Competitive against blackgrass
- Tall, vigorous growth helps suppress grassweeds.
Flexible and reliable
- Performs across a range of drilling dates and conditions.
Growing demand from millers
- A popular variety for millers such as Heygates, which COPE works with on a buy-back contract for growers.
Grower insight
Miller insight
“We have identified that Nelson grown to 14% protein brings us quality and functionality that will displace imported wheat.
Through baking, we found Nelson showed a white crumb, no evidence of weakness and produced loaves of good volume.
By offering a buy-back contract that incentivises growers, the combination of an additional quality premium and the benefits of the variety on-farm, we are finding the variety very popular.”
George Mason, Heygates Millers.
Who is it for?
Nelson suits growers looking for:
- Milling wheat with lower nitrogen requirement
- A fit for all farming systems
- Improved weed competition
- Flexible drilling options
- Reliable yield and quality
- Reliable buy-back contracts available
What is Nelson winter wheat?
A high-protein Group E or ‘Elite” wheat suited to milling and feed markets.
Can it achieve protein with lower nitrogen?
Yes, it is known for delivering strong protein performance with reduced inputs.
Is it suitable for regenerative farming?
Yes, it performs well in low-input systems due its strong Nitrogen Use Efficiency.
Is it competitive against blackgrass?
Yes, its canopy helps suppress weeds.
Get in touch
Interested in growing Nelson?
Speak to the team to find out how it could work on your farm