2007 TAG Trials Tease Out Wheat Differences

“There’s no escaping Oakley’s consistency across all our trials,” says TAG Northern Region agronomist, David Robinson.

This confirms that while Oakley does suffer from disease, it delivers consistent yields across a range of sites when protected by a good fungicide programme.”

Humber in comparison has also done well and while behind Oakley in 2007 is still one of the top five wheats for yield.

Mr Robinson also confirms that both Viscount and JB Diego – which are 1.5 and 3% behind Oakley respectively - have looked good in trial all season.

“Viscount has marginally outperformed JB Diego agronomically and will hopefully be a good Group 3 alternative to Robigus,” he says. “However, another year is needed to confirm their position.

“This year though, while early season disease pressure put Robigus in the dock, it has still produced reliable yields. “Growers will probably stick with it this autumn as there isn’t a good Group 3 alternative at the moment,” he says

In TAG trials there’s little to choose between other feed varieties. “Here it is a case of looking at what is available and selecting the right package of agronomic characteristics you need using local trials to tease them out,” says Mr Robinson.

Summing up the data from a series of quality wheat trials, David Robinson says that the most consistent breadmaking wheats across 2007 TAG trials have been Solstice and Cordiale.

While Malacca and Hereward have been benchmarks, Solstice has gained momentum since it was classified as a Group 1 variety. “The milling industry like it, it is an early driller and a leap forward in terms of yield for those struggling with Malacca’s bushel weight.

“Similarly, Cordiale is gaining end-market acceptance. A short, stiff and early variety it has produced some consistently good Hagberg, protein and specific weight results in TAG trials this year,” he says.

Looking ahead, the four newcomers in TAG trials – Magister, Marksman, Musketeer and Koreli - have also performed well, producing good quality samples. “They represent good material from the breeders, with breadmaking potential which hopefully will interest the industry,” he says.