United Kingdom
December 2, 2014
Fencer and Builder, Bayer’s two new hybrids on the HGCA 2015/16 lists, have stand out characteristics that will appeal to OSR growers aiming to maximise margins.
On the winter OSR Recommended List for the East/West region, Fencer is listed with a gross output of 105% and a Phoma stem canker resistance rating of 8 making it the highest performing Phoma-resistant variety. Bayer seeds product manager Sarah Middleton says: “Fencer offers strong establishment, early spring growth and excellent standing power. Growers will notice its enhanced autumn vigour and sowing date flexibility: when planted later it holds on to its yield.”
Fencer follows hot on the heels of Harper, Bayer’s first hybrid to make it onto the RL last year. On this year’s list Harper’s light leaf spot resistance has been upgraded to 6; the widely regarded threshold figure for worthwhile resistance. Ms Middleton considers this new credential makes Harper a nationwide variety.
Builder joins the spring OSR descriptive list with the leading oil content of 45.3 percent. Oil content results tend to be less variable than yield so this should make it a reliable performer which could generate an oil bonus of £50/ha at harvest 2015 market levels. It is also the earliest maturing of the new hybrids on the DL.
Loking to the future Ms Middleton says the new DL demonstrates the success of hybrid breeding. “The top eight varieties are all hybrids and on average their yields are stretching away from conventionals by almost ten percent now. The performance of varieties such as Builder and Dodger is certainly making spring OSR a more attractive option. And we expect it won’t be long before we see such steps forward in winter hybrid OSR too.”
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