Planning ahead: Spring cropping variety choices

When considering variety options for spring 2026, the end market will dictate the preferred variety in almost all the spring quality cereals. With a very kind autumn, fields will be covered in winter wheats and oilseed rape as we head into Christmas, leaving lower planned spring hectarages than we have seen in the last two years, rather than unplanned ‘catching up’ spring cropping.

In terms of variety choices there is not much change to report, and many options remain the same as they have done for last year.

Spring barley

If contracts are in place and quality parameters have been met over several years, there is no reason not to continue growing spring barley, although prices remain steady around the £35–£40/tonne premium.

Spring barley still offers the best option for rotational suppression of grass weeds such as blackgrass, ryegrass and brome, whereas spring wheat will not offer the same level of competitiveness in the field.

With regards to variety choices, Laureate remains the undoubted number one in the marketplace, last year taking around 45% of the total market share. It remains the highest yielding variety offering dual use, brewing and distilling. None of the newcomers offer much more in terms of a step up in yields or quality, so there is very little rationale to change.

Skyway offers brewing ability but its yields have dropped behind Laureate. SY Tennyson is more akin to Laureate with its dual-purpose credentials whilst offering dual purpose end markets, but does not seem to have caught the attention of the market.

RGT Planet has slipped further as the newer options gain a greater share of the market. However, it will still have support from growers who have seen very consistent performance over the years. LG Diablo’s market share has declined as it no longer competes on yields.

Several varieties are under test for malting quality, these include LG Aquarius, Nos Gambit, Nos Munron and Olsen; but there remains uncertainty over quality. Belter has generated interest; it offers dual use markets, is slightly higher yielding than Laureate along with improved disease resistance.

Feed varieties Westminster and Kelim still sell well for this market. Feed barleys have their place if there is a physical need for straw, but arguably the malting varieties offer better yields, with the chance of meeting premium requirements. 

Spring wheat

In the spring wheat sector, Mulika, KWS Harsum and KWS Ladum are the Group 1 offer, with the former now under significant yield disadvantage. KWS Ladum has no major disease weaknesses, with high resistance to mildew, brown rust and Septoria tritici. It will be a major consideration for next spring. KWS Harsum has OWBM resistance.

KWS Cochise and, to a lesser extent, KWS Chilham provide alternatives in the group 2 sector, which is little changed. KWS Alicium has the best yield.

WPB Escape has the largest market share with KWS Fixum since its arrival within the sector. It is a relatively late-maturing variety, which will be a limitation to some. Again, it appears that KWS Fixum has no major disease weaknesses, with high resistance to yellow rust, mildew and brown rust. Everlong being highest yielding at 107 – Group 4.

Spring oats

Spring oat variety choice is chiefly set by the market; WPB Isabel remains the market leader, it’s a variety that ticks all the boxes for the grower and the end-user offering a very good combination of yield, kernel content and specific weight.

Merlin is now making significant headway into the market. Canyon still has some support within the marketplace. Conway is an early maturing option. Asterion has high untreated yields with good resistance to Mildew. Newly recommended Caledon’s uptake will depend on the quality of the crop this season.

Pulses

There is very little change in the offer for pulses with regards to new varieties. Spring beans will again be dominated by Lynx whilst Genius remains the highest yielding option on the Descriptive List. Yukon has the best mildew resistance and is the earliest maturing. New options don’t compete with Genius for pure yield.

Synergy is a new low-vicine and low-convicine variety (LVC) and is higher yielding than the other two LVC varieties, Futura and Victus.

Concerto (115%) and Batist (113%), lead the yellow pea sector. Carrington holds on as the top yielding blue pea. Bluetime will again be popular, and Butterfly is new and again showing the strength in depth of the NPZ UK portfolio. Kameleon from Senova and NPZ UK’s Orchestra are the standout white peas, however availability is key. 

In the new pink pea category Flamingo from Cope Seeds & Grain offers specific end markets from uses for human consumption, to bird and pet feed.

In terms of marrowfats; Vision offers the best downy mildew rating of 7 and with the highest yield in the sector, whilst Sakura has shown its consistency and support from the end user. The yield gap is circa 10%, but again as with anything that involves a quality premium, it will be decided by the end user.

If you would like advice on spring cropping choice and seed supply, please speak to your agronomist or contact Hutchinsons’ dedicated seed team.

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