Growers To Gain From Grafton As An Early Drilling Special

“The industry has long been looking for a wheat to replace Claire in this very early sowing slot,” says commercial director, Andrew Newby. 

“Grafton does this, as a result of its near perfect package of agronomic characteristics for the ‘pressure cauldron’ situation created by late-August or early September drilling.”

According to variety consultant, Mike Jeffes, HGCA trials data shows that Grafton is a week slower to reach GS31 than the Claire.  “As a result it won’t get over-proud over winter, even when drilled very early,” he says.

“In addition, no other variety is stiffer than Grafton, a characteristic that will help ensure a standing crop even where seed rates have encouraged too thick a plant stand.

“Combine this with excellent eyespot resistance and lodging risks as a result of early drilling are further reduced.  And, because Grafton has an inherently high bushel weight, growers should expect good grain samples whatever the level of establishment.

“All this, along with a package of good all round early season disease resistance ratings, should ensure some very high yields – without the need for excessive input costs.”

While early drilling is a key attribute of Grafton, Mr Jeffes points out that the variety has been Recommended as an ‘Early maturing variety suitable to spread harvest and for more northern growers’ by CEL.  There is currently no special category for early drilling.

“This confirms that while it is a slow developer in the early stages of development, it is quick to mature and one of the earliest wheats to come to the combine.  With Cordiale in its parentage, this should come as no surprise to growers,” he says.

“As a result growers can not only use Grafton to spread their drilling and spraying workload, but also gain an early start to harvest.  This then also allows them to get their rape crop into the ground in good time. 

“Many growers gained from the early harvest of Cordiale this year – their subsequent rape crops are well established and on course for some high yields – and Grafton is a suitable alternative choice for this purpose.”  

“The industry will be quick to latch on to a variety that sets new standards for the early drilled early to harvest slot,” suggests Mr Jeffes.