KWS Target

The target market for this midge resistor is the mainstream soft wheat areas of England and this is where it looks certain to hit the mark and gain a significant market share.

Target Yields

KWS Target matches last year’s Group 3 newcomer Invicta for yield. Nationally, its treated yield is just 0.1% behind and in the East, it’s 0.1% ahead.

It’s a similar story when you examine the variety’s potential across the UK and in a first and second wheat slot in the rotation. Here, KWS Target virtually mirrors Invicta and outperforms both Scout and Warrior.

However, where KWS Target sets new standards is in terms of grain quality and maturity. When it comes to exports, KWS Target won’t need to be blended to make the uks boatload.

KWS Target is the highest yielding Group 3 with Orange Wheat Blossom Midge resistance and this characteristic will also help to protect grain quality and yield. Cocoon, Invicta, Tuxedo and Claire don’t have this midge resistance protection.

With nabim positively reporting that KWS Target has produced consistent Group 3 quality similar to Robigus, it could well be that KWS Target takes soft wheat production back to levels that the UK has become famous for within the EU.

Market Outlets 

	UK biscuit/cake making	uks - Soft wheat export
KWS Target	Y	(Y)
Invicta	Y	(B)
Warrior	Y	-
Scount	Y	Y

(B)  = suitable for blending for export cargoes

Data source:  HGCA Recommended List, 2011/12

On Target Agronomically

Alongside a strong export specification, KWS Target offers growers significant agronomic benefits on-farm and in terms of harvestability.

KWS Target is two days earlier to mature than Invicta, a day ahead of Scout and on a par with Warrior, with shorter straw and better lodging resistance

	Days to Maturity (days +/1 Solstice)
KWS Target	+1
Invicta	+3
Warrior	+1
Scout	+2

Data source:  HGCA Recommended List, 2011/12

Add to this the advantage of OWBM resistance and growers can be confident that whether it is for UK or export, they have a better chance of securing their target market. 

	Straw strength with PGR	Straw strength without PGR	Straw height without PGR (cm)
KWS Target	8	8	86
Invicta	8	7	93
Warrior	8	7	86
Scout	9	8	90

 Data source:  HGCA Recommended List, 2011/12

In terms of disease resistance, KWS Target has a good all-round disease package with no rating below a 6.

KWS Target is rated 8 for yellow rust resistance and this will provide a useful partner for other varieties on the farm.

	KWS Target	Invicta	Scout	Warrior
Mildew	6	6	6	8
Yellow rust	8	8	9	9
Brown rust	6	8	9	9
S. nodorum	[8]	7	8	7
S. tritici	6	6	6	7
Eyespot	7	5	8	6
Fusarium	5	6	6	6

Data source:  HGCA Recommended List, 2011/12

Sprouting resistance for KWS Target – albeit based on limited data so far - compared to other varieties is also very good

Targeting Soft Wheat Needs

With the Group 3 sector having declined in recent years following the peak of Consort, Claire and Robigus, KWS Target will provide the quality soft wheat user, both at home and abroad with a much needed new variety.

KWS Target is tolerant to chlorotoluron.