Variety Choices 2026/2027
The Variety Choice sheet enables members to choose crop varieties that we have good markets for. There have been some positive changes to the varieties for the new drilling campaign which we want to share as a guide. We are going to try and make the Variety Choice information easier to digest without the complication of the added market commentary which we will do separately.
Wheat
Group 1
• Arlington: Confirmed as full Group 1 by millers from March 2026 and fully accepted by all mills; wide sowing window, benefits of OWBM and good disease profile.
• RGT Illustrious and KWS Zyatt: These will disappear off the recommended list for the next publication in December 2026.
• KWS Vibe: The best combination of yield and protein - the new protein baker for Group 1.
• SY Cheer: High HFNs and good sprouting - important in a catchy harvest.
• Skyfall: Wide sowing window, benefits of OWBM, poor Yellow Rust.
• Crusoe: Good proteins but poor disease across rusts.
• KWS Melesi: A new variety up for recommendation in December 2026 - if it makes it, could take Group 1 yields up a notch.
Group 2
• KWS Arnie: Looking like top choice – very vigorous, kept biomass this season and looked well in 2026; great combination of yield, spec. weight and stem stiffness.
• KWS Grebe: This will probably come off the recommended list this season as no sales.
• KWS Extase: Milling potential but limited milling demand therefore should be grown as feed.
• KWS Voyage: A new variety up for recommendation in December 2026 – massive yield jump if it makes a Group 2.
• LG Windmill: looks more like a Group 1 yield.
Group 3 and Group 4 Soft
• KWS Solitaire and Bamford: Dominate the Group 3 sector.
• Sparkler: Added to the Group 4 Soft line up.
New potential varieties coming with lots of different genetics up for recommendation December 2026.
Group 4 Hard
• RGT Griffin: Lots of interest shown in new BYDV candidates which perform in early drilling slot.
• LG Beowulf and KWS Dawsum: Still on the recommend list for the Clean Wheat Plant.
• Gleam: Very little being planted from certified seed suppliers this autumn - no longer Clean Wheat variety.
• LG Defiance and LG Challenger: Good disease profiles for second wheat and later drilling in Defiance through to September sowing.
• Aintree: Has an yield with chillies heal – 3 for Yellow Rust.
• KWS Scope: Key variety for mid September onwards drilling; 4 for Yellow Rust but great septoria, high spec. weight, great yields in 2026 and super stiff straw.
• KWS Checkmate and Percy: An excellent set of hard feed candidates coming up for recommendation e.g. very good disease profiles at good yield and spec. weight.
OSR
• DSV Dompteur: The highest yielding variety on the 2026/27 Winter OSR recommended list. Contains the phoma blocker trait, high oil content, pod shatter resistance and TuYV protection, highlight leaf spot resistance, strong spring vigour and early harvest.
• RGT EROS: Highest yielding candidate for Harvest 2026, out yielded Dompteur in 2026 trials. It looks like it will top the RL in the coming season. Strong gross output over contrasting seasons with very high oils and good disease.
• NPZ Karat: Similar yield to Dompteur on its 5-year average with good disease scores and higher oils than Dompteur in 2026 AHDB trials. Strong gross output over contrasting seasons with very high oils and good disease resistance. Karat has shown a red sample this season – seen previously in varieties like Elgar. We’ve had this crop tested in our lab and it crushes well with high oil content – not an issue for growers.
• LG Adeline from Limagrain: Tried and tested on-farm, liked by growers thanks to its good autumn vigour, best performances in the north and comes with pod shatter.
Spring Malting Barley
• Laureate and Planet: Laureate remains the
preferred spring malting barley variety followed
by Planet. Both varieties are fully approved for
the domestic and export markets. Low nitrogen
Laureate is more likely to receive a bigger premium
compared to low nitrogen Planet due to it being
acceptable in the distilling market.
Other Varieties
We would urge caution on all other varieties for
malting purposes including Skyway and Diablo, which
should now be considered as feed only, as premium
opportunities are likely to be very limited.
Winter Malting Barley
• Buccaneer: The preferred variety choice now with
better agronomic performance.
• Craft: A very close 2nd choice winter barley.
Oats
Winter Oats
• Mascani and Cromwell: Are the preferred varieties.
In trials, Cromwell is slightly earlier to mature than
Mascani.
Spring Oats
• Isabel: The preferred spring variety.
• Merlin: Higher yield but hulling losses are a little
higher than Isabel.
• Caledonian: The next new spring variety - shows
promise with the highest yield of the three and
hulling losses similar to Isabel.
Green Peas
• Pangea: A new green pea for Harvest 2027, with
excellent yield and disease portfolio, plus being
highly resistant to powdery mildew. Seed will be
very limited.
Higher prices are gained for peas that are a good size
and even colour, whole green peas that are suitable
for micronizing or human consumption.
• No yellow pea varieties.
Field Beans
• Vespa: Winter bean recommendation as it
performs well in the field, combining high yield
with good disease ratings.
• Lynx: Spring Bean recommendation which are
widely grown, being consistent with growers.
Linseed
• Bingo or Bliss: Recommended for spring drilling.
• Odin: Recommended for winter drilling, all brown
varieties are accepted for all markets.
Winter Rye
All grain rye varieties accepted. Ideally growers should be aiming for a minimum 8.5% protein which might influence the variety choice.
Organics
Contact Tom Wood (Robin Appel) directly for all Organic variety choices.
