Impressive yields from Elsoms’ new barley and wheat varieties

While catchy August weather left many farmers with the usual harvest headaches, there have been notable performances from several of Elsoms’ new varieties being grown for the first time. 

Four new varieties to look out for!

Available for the 2021/22 season, we have two new winter barley varieties and two winter wheat varieties, each breed specifically for the UK climate. Our two new winter barley varieties, Bolton and Lightning, have exceeded the current AHDB winter barley yield estimates of 6.8-7.2t/ha reported to date for 2021 harvested crops. Our Group 4 hard wheat Astound has supported its credentials as a robust, low stress variety, while Group 3 soft wheat Merit, demonstrated why it’s an easy choice for biscuit making, distilling and export wheat. 

Winter barley – Bolton 

A first-time crop of winter barley, Bolton achieved almost 8t/ha, well above AHDB national yield estimates for this season. Grantham based farmer, Tony Scarborough said “Of the two winter barleys we grew this season it out yielded KWS Hawking, which did 6.78t/ha, despite both varieties being drilled at the same time and receiving the same inputs package.” 

Winter barley – Lightning 

Lincolnshire grower Tim Booth who farms near Swineshead was rewarded with a yield of just over 8.6t/ha on a crop of Lightning, a new 2-row conventional winter feed barley from breeder Elsoms Seeds. “It’s our first-time growing winter barley as historically, it’s been tricky to fit into our rotation.” Says Tim. “However, we changed things up last autumn, drilled 17ha and were rewarded with a fantastic looking crop that had no disease issues.” 

What about wheat? 

While almost 90 percent of the UK’s winter barley area had been cut by mid-August, winter wheat has seen its slowest start to a harvest since 2017 due to late ripening and catchy weather being the main explanations for the delay. But, despite the unsettled weather, positive reports on early harvested wheat crops started to filter through. 

Group 4 winter wheat – Astound 

Thirsk farmer Tony Bell, a first-time crop of the Group 4 hard wheat Astound, achieved a yield of almost 10t/ha supporting its robust and low stress variety credentials. “We went with Astound based on its high untreated yield and a relatively high treated yield and to achieve nearly 10t/ha following late drilling.” Says Tony. “The grain quality was excellent, and, in better growing conditions with earlier establishment, I feel that it’s a variety capable of challenging the highest yielding winter wheats we’ve grown in recent years.” 

Group 3 winter wheat – Merit 

The positivity surrounding Elsoms’ wheat varieties continued with Rutland based grower, George Renner achieving 9.2t/ha with the Group 3 soft wheat, Merit. “It’s uncomplicated to grow and with premiums available alongside good marketability I would certainly recommend it” says George. Kit Papworth, who farms near North Walsham in north-east Norfolk, grew 14ha of Merit as a seed crop and drilled it late in the second week of December.  

Want to know more? 

If you’re interested in knowing more, or growing a crop of Elsoms’ winter barley or wheat varieties then contact your local merchant for more information.