Elsoms Introduce Caledon Spring Oat Variety

New to the Elsoms portfolio, Caledon is now the highest-yielding spring oat variety on the 2025/26 AHDB Recommended List (RL). Combining exceptional agronomic performance, disease resistance, and milling quality, Caledon has the potential to reshape the spring oats market, making it an exciting development for UK growers and millers alike.

Shaking Up the Spring Oats Market

The UK spring oats market has been dominated by varieties such as WPB Isabel, Canyon, and Merlin. However, Caledon’s entry is set to redefine this landscape. With its superior yield and agronomic features, Caledon outperforms these established varieties by a notable margin, creating a compelling case for growers and millers to make the switch.

Richardsons Milling and Morning Foods, two of the largest oat millers in the UK, currently use WPB Isabel and Merlin. However, Caledon significantly outperforms these varieties with a treated yield of 105%, offering growers a remarkable 4% yield advantage over Merlin, and 5% over WPB Isabel. This standout performance positions Caledon as a superior choice, providing growers with higher returns and millers with a more reliable supply of premium-quality oats. Elsoms anticipates that Caledon will capture significant market share, firmly establishing itself as the variety of choice for spring oats.

A Complete Package of Excellence

Caledon delivers on every front. As the highest-yielding variety on the AHDB Recommended List, its treated yield of 105% and untreated yield of 98% set it apart. Its agronomic reliability is bolstered by the highest powdery mildew score (8) on the RL and a strong crown rust score of 5.0, second only to Asterion. These features ensure Caledon performs consistently in the field while minimising disease risks for growers.

In addition to its agronomic strengths, Caledon meets the industry’s high standards for milling quality. With a specific weight of 51.5 kg/hl and kernel content of 72.8%, it provides excellent processing quality. Its robust straw, reflected in a lodging score of  [7], further enhances its reliability, making it a grower-friendly variety. Together, these attributes make Caledon a standout performer that combines yield, disease resistance, and processing excellence in one variety.

A Testament to Collaboration

Caledon’s success is a testament to the collaboration between Saaten Union and Elsoms Seeds. Bred by Nordsaat Saatzucht from the parentage Delfin x Komfort, Caledon’s development highlights the dedication of both organisations to advancing UK agriculture.

Toby Reich, Head of Agriculture at Elsoms Seeds, comments:

“Caledon represents a step change for spring oats, combining outstanding yield potential, strong agronomics, and milling quality. This variety embodies our commitment to delivering innovative, high-performance solutions for UK growers.”

The Future of Spring Oats

Growers aiming to maximise their oat yields while meeting the exacting standards of millers should look no further than Caledon. Its exceptional yield, agronomic strengths, and milling quality make it the ideal choice for the future of spring oat production. As the highest-yielding spring oat on the 2025/26 AHDB Recommended List, Caledon is set to become the cornerstone of UK spring oats.

Summary of Key Features:

Treated Yield: 105% (4% higher than Merlin)

Untreated Yield: 98%

Powdery Mildew Score: 8 (highest on the RL)

Crown Rust Score: 5 (second only to Asterion)

Kernel Content: 72.8%

Specific Weight: 51.5 kg/hl

Lodging Resistance (PGR): [7]

Caledon’s introduction marks a new era for spring oats, reinforcing Elsoms’ position as a leader in innovative agricultural solutions. For growers and millers alike, Caledon offers an unmatched combination of yield, quality, and reliability.

View our full portfolio of Spring Oat varieties here