Cereals 2025: Latest Senova varieties reflect shift in farming

With very high yields, the company’s latest varieties also have compelling agronomic features, including durable resistance to pests and diseases, as well as grain quality characteristics that add market appeal.

Reflecting the drive to reduce artificial crop inputs and the need for resilient varieties that can withstand seasonal pressures, Senova’s cereals and pulses portfolio is in keeping with farming’s changing dynamics.

Of the company’s three newly recommended feed winter barley varieties – all of which will be on display –  two-row Kitty brings resistance to both strain 1 and strain 2 of Barley Yellow Mosaic Virus (BaYMV).

The only newcomer to offer that protection from the soil-borne virus, Kitty also has the highest specific weight on the list at 72.7kg/hl. 

Along with short, very stiff straw and good disease resistance ratings, including a 7 for Rhynchosporium, it also has the lowest brackling score – so it avoids stem weakness problems higher up the plant as the crop matures. 

Not surprisingly, there has been plenty of early interest in Kitty, as it has immediate appeal to those growing feed barley, reports Hugh Harley, Senova’s sales manager.

Joining Kitty on the Senova stand are Nos Olena and Organa, both two-row feed barleys. Organa is one of the first to bring BYDV tolerance to this category, while Nos Olena is one of the highest-yielding winter barleys on the market, with a UK yield of 106.

Otherwise, winter oat variety Cromwell will have a prominent position.

It is increasing in popularity following its recommendation two years ago and brings an 8% yield advantage over Mascani, the market leader.

With a high kernel content and a good specific weight, Cromwell meets the miller’s needs but also has the short, stiff straw that growers look for.

An early glimpse of Senova’s candidate winter oat Rannoch and candidate spring oat Nova will also be possible at Cereals. Rannoch offers slightly higher yields than existing choices and a very good crown rust resistance rating of 8, while Nova has a mildew resistance rating of 8.

Winter bean varieties will be another feature of the Senova display, with the market-leading varieties Vespa and Vincent in plots, as well as newcomer Ninja.

More interest in home-grown protein and the use of companion cropping and bi-crops has put renewed focus on pulses, says the company, so there will also be a plot of spring beans and oats, or ‘boats’, so that visitors can discuss its potential and management.

The company’s first spring bean variety for some time, Navara, is included, as is high yielding yellow pea Batist.    

Finally, hard feed wheat candidate Hector will be on the Senova stand. A later-maturing and very high-yielding variety, it has good disease resistance ratings, particularly for septoria and yellow rust.

Hector will be up for recommendation later this year.

Senova will be on stand 1104 at Cereals 25, which takes place on 11^th and 12th June 2025.

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