Oakley

Tried and tested on farm, and the UK’s most widely grown wheat in each of the last three years, Oakley has provided UK growers with some of the highest yields they have ever recorded.

Despite its yellow rust susceptibility, grown with a comprehensive fungicide programme that starts early and keeps the disease out of the crop, Oakley will continue to be a top-performer on farm.

Firmly established as a first choice first wheat, this is where most growers will position it on farm. However, with its huge baseline yields, Oakley also does incredibly well as a second wheat – where it is just 1% behind the leading variety, KWS Santiago, and 1% ahead of much trumpeted second wheat Duxford.

Oakley has also been remarkably consistent across all trials over the last five years and performs equally well in all regions across the UK. 

Drilled before October 6^th it is a very strong performer and when it comes to late drilling – from mid-October onwards – Oakley is only beaten by Conqueror.

End Use

A non 1B1R Group 4 Hard Feed, Oakley suits all animal feed markets.

Agronomic Characteristics

As with any high yield potential wheat, Oakley is responsive to high input fungicide regimes. The longer you can keep it green in the run up to harvest, the higher the yield.

	Oakley
Mildew	6
Yellow rust	2
Brown rust	6
S. nodorum	7
S. tritici	5
Eyespot	4
Fusarium	5

Data source:  HGCA Recommended List, 2011/12

The key focus for disease control is yellow rust. Oakley is susceptible to the Solstice race and will need protection. 

Serious consideration should be given to selecting systemic seed treatments such as Jockey or Galmano that will delay yellow rust development and will improve straw strength.

In addition, growers should select appropriate foliar fungicides that are particularly active against yellow rust at the T0 and T1 timing.  

Early protection is the best course of action and this should be followed by T2 and T3 fungicides that are also capable of controlling rust.  Eyespot may also need targeting in high pressure situations.

With medium length and reasonably stiff straw, a routine early PGR is recommended and an additional treatment may often be justified in high yielding situations.

 

	Straw strength with PGR	Straw strength without PGR	Straw height without PGR (cm)
Oakley	7	6	91

Data source:  HGCA Recommended List, 2011/12

Oakley is resistant to Orange Wheat Blossom Midge and is unlikely to require a specific treatment, thereby providing added security, saving a spray operation and cutting pesticide inputs.

Growth Characteristics

Oakley has moderate winter dormancy with good tillering ability and excellent tiller retention. It is suitable for drilling from mid-September onwards.

It is even better than Robigus at suppressing grass weeds, especially in difficult to control blackgrass situations. 

Oakley is tolerant to chlorotoluron.