United Kingdom
September 20, 2022
RGT Bairstow’s strong credentials as a second/continuous winter wheat – it scores the highest of any soft variety on the 2022/23 Recommended List – have been clearly demonstrated in large-scale variety trial at Steve Buckle’s farm near Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire.
Despite a really dry season, the seventeen wheats in the 3ha trial, carried out in association with GrainCo, produced an average of 10.2t/ha, just above the farm’s five-year average of 10t/ha for Steve’s 80ha of mostly continuous commercial wheats.
“Wheats grown on hilltops and lighter land struggled a bit, but where they had a bit of moisture they seem to have done really well, including the trial,” says Steve.
“RGT Bairstow looked good in the trial and did really well, yielding 10.6t/ha. It produced the best yield of the three new varieties, well ahead of Champion and Dawsum. But this was a continuous wheat trial, which might have counted against them a bit.
“The variety showed good vigour and it has decent Septoria resistance, pretty much as Dawsum and a bit ahead of Zyatt, which I grow commercially, so anyone growing Bairstow won’t be totally reliant on chemicals.”
Peter Collins, seed manager at GrainCo, says RGT Bairstow had a strong showing in this year’s variety trial at Steve’s farm, reflecting its wider performance on farm which continues to impress.
“The variety has put in some very consistent performances over the past couple of years as a first and second wheat across a range of soil types, and drilling timings. It appears to have done so again on farm this season, reflecting in its very high RL yield ratings of 103% for all regions of the country.
“It looks to be a good fit in our northern region, producing very high yields of grain that will suit the feed compounder and ethanol plants. It is also rated good for distilling, another important market for many of our growers, thanks to its a high alcohol yield.”
A wheat with proven potential
Nigel Britland, national sales manager at Wynnstay Arable, says growers should take note that RGT Bairstow is the highest yielding soft wheat on the Recommended List, has good disease resistance and offers the potential for soft wheat premiums.
“It’s a solid choice,” he adds. “It won’t let anybody down, and growers do need to consider diversification, rather than putting all their eggs in one basket with one variety.
“RGT Bairstow looks a natural successor to Skyscraper, which has established a strong following over the past three years.
“We know what RGT Bairstow is capable of and I believe it has a place in many wheat portfolios. It is very reliable with high output and has performed very well in the field, and there will be big demand for soft wheat for distilling further north as well.”
RGT Bairstow
- Highest yielding soft wheat (RL 2022/23)
- Very consistent performer
- Good disease ratings
- OWBM resistance
- Suitable for early drilling but can be sown to mid February
- Excellent second wheat
- Good grain quality
- Approved for distilling
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