Oakley

Oakley is the highest yielding Recommended wheat, one that meets growers’ expectations throughout the UK.

Not only has it been top performer in HGCA Recommended List trials over three years, Oakley is now the UK’s most widely grown wheat and has provided growers with some of their best ever yields.

As a first wheat, Oakley is unbeatable and this is where most growers will position it on farm. However, Oakley also does very well as a second wheat.

Oakley performs equally well in all regions across the UK. And, it doesn’t matter what the soil type – Oakley is unbeatable on light land and just 1% behind the best wheat on heavy soil.

When it comes to late drilling – mid October onwards – Oakley again tops the bill. No other variety in HGCA trials beats it.

 

End Use

Group 4 Hard Feed.

 

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.

Although there are no major weaknesses, the key disease to control is Septoria tritici, and 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 well be justified in high yielding situations.

Data source: HGCA Recommended List 2009/10 for winter wheat

Oakley	(1-9)
Mildew	5
Yellow Rust	6
Brown Rust	6
S. nodorum	7
S. tritici	5
Eyespot	5
Fusarium ear blight	5

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

Data source: HGCA Recommended List 2009/10 for winter wheat

Straw Strength (+PGR)	Straw Strength (-PGR)	Straw Height without PGR (cm)
7	7	87

Oakley is resistant to wheat orange blossom midge – this negates spraying for the pest in all bar the highest pressure situations.

 

Growth Characteristics

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

In dull summers, like last year, Oakley makes the most of its high tillering capacity producing exceptional yields under less than ideal conditions.

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

Oakley is tolerant to chlorotoluron.