Viscount

Just one year after its launch, Viscount became the UK’s most widely grown soft wheat.

Widely used for export, distilling and bioethanol, as well as household flours and some biscuit markets, Viscount offers significant premium-earning potential.

No. 1 for Export

Backed by a yield that is 4% ahead of Alchemy, Viscount is one of the highest yielding premium soft wheats for uks export, without the need for blending.

It is now widely used in the European soft wheat sector having performed well in continental baking grists.

	W	P/L	Protein
Uks minimum specification	≤ 120	≤0.55	10.5-11.5%
Viscount	93	0.40	10.8

Data source:  HGCA Recommended List, 2011/12

No. 1 for Distilling

Viscount is the highest yielding soft wheat in the HGCA Northern Region.   With a large, bold bright grain that provides one of the highest alcohol extraction levels in SWRI trials, it is a variety that is very much favoured by distillers.

Furthermore, with the emerging bioethanol market requiring high alcohol extraction, Viscount closely meets this need and is clearly acceptable.

Biscuit & Cake Making

Although not classified as a nabim Group 3 variety, significant quantities of Viscount have successfully found their way into UK biscuit-making and cake markets this season, earning growers some valuable premiums.

Agronomy

Viscount consistently produces high yields across those regions where it has the potential to offer a premium market outlet.

Viscount has moderate winter dormancy and is suited to sowing from mid-September onwards. It has good tillering ability and tiller retention.

It is 6cm shorter than Robigus but has similar PGR requirements.  Ideally, PGR programmes should maximise straw strength but avoid over-shortening this variety, particularly in dry springs. 

 

	Straw strength with PGR	Straw strength without PGR
Viscount	7	7

Data source:  HGCA Recommended List, 2011/12

Viscount is backed by a strong disease resistance profile with good S. tritici and S. nodorum scores complementing a 9-rating for brown rust.

In common with many other varieties, Viscount is susceptible to the Solstice yellow rust race and this disease should be a priority focus when considering seed treatments and T0 and T1 fungicide needs. 

	Viscount
Mildew	7
Yellow rust	5
Brown rust	9
S. nodorum	[9]
S. tritici	5
Eyespot	6
Fusarium	6

Data source:  HGCA Recommended List, 2011/12

Viscount 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.

As with any premium wheat, Viscount should be given priority at harvest to protect sample quality and should be stored separately wherever possible.

Viscount is safe to treat with some forms of chlorotoluron. Please check chlorotoluron recommendation sheets or consult your agronomist.

“Viscount topped our trials in 2010, with a three site mean of 11.73t/ha, almost 0.5t/ha ahead of Robigus.  While it responds well to fungicides and now warrants a T0 focusing on rust, it is not a tricky variety to manage and relatively stiff strawed.  It is now the most widely grown variety in Scotland and surprised a number of growers with its yield on farm last year.” 

Andrew Gilchrist – Scottish Agronomy