Breeder: Senova Ltd
Status: HGCA Recommended List UK, P2
 High yielding soft Group 4 wheatVery short, stiff strawExcellent resistance to yellow rust and eyespotVery high alcohol yieldsTolerant to Chlortoluron

Beluga is the highest yielding soft Group 4 wheat and the highest yielding second wheat and performs well in all regions. With its high disease resistance and superb straw characters, will fit well into any arable rotation.

As a soft feed wheat Beluga is suitable for feed and for both distilling and bioethanol production. Beluga has performed well both north and south, and tests have demonstrated the variety's ability to produce very high alcohol yields. With the expected expansion in bioethanol production, Beluga will appeal to growers contemplating bioethanol contracts. As a uks soft wheat Beluga is also suitable for export markets.

Beluga produces very high yields throughout the UK and in all rotations and soil types. With excellent yields and superior distilling quality Beluga is the perfect variety choice for feed or distilling markets.

    Source: HGCA RL 2011/12 (full database at www.hgca.com)

Beluga has been rated good for distilling and produces exceptionally high alcohol yields. It
has the potential to be a significant variety for both the distilling and bioethanol markets in the north and so should attract a premium. Beluga has big, bold, bright grain.

Beluga has exceptionally short, stiff straw and show excellent resistance to lodging. It is earlier to ripen than other major soft group 4 varieties, especially important in the north.

Beluga shows particularly good resistance to eyespot and importantly is not affected by the new race of yellow rust, scoring a 9.

      Source: HGCA RL 2011/12. Full database is available at www.hgca.com

Beluga is best suited to sowing mid September to end January. However, Beluga appears to have the attributes which would make it suited to early drilling, although this is from limited data and more is required to confirm Beluga's potential.