FAQ - Wheat

Below you will find some frequently asked questions on wheat. We hope you find the answer to your query. If you need further information please email us or call us on 01223 890777.

For the last two years I've tried unsuccessfully to grow bread wheat. I'm now considering growing Group 4s for yield. Is this advisable?

It all depends. Securing premiums on bread wheats is of course the driver for that option, but more often than not the premiums are not secured and there is much sense in going to produce the single highest yielding commodity wheat, especially as there is considerable yield advantages with Group 4s. care must be taken in variety selection, taking note of the need for disease diversification.

As a long time Group 3 grower Robigus has served me well. Why should I now grow Scout?

Scout is a new variety bringing better quality and superb disease resistance across the board and is not affected by the new race of yellow rust, scoring a 9. In turn this means easier management and the prospect of secure marketing and therefore more profitability. Scout is also suited to early drilling and as a second wheat choice.

I grew JB Diego successfully but was initially concerned about its straw length. However it seems remarkably stiff and so I am confidently growing it again. Why is it so stiff?

It is often a fallacy to believe that short always means stiff straw. JB Diego is a continental type and so has inherently taller, but stiff straw, which arguably can provide a plant reserve in stress conditions.

Will there be any premiums for distilling and ethanol markets?

This will be up to the end user. Two things to appreciate - this will not be a distress market and the specifications, particularly on mycotoxins, can be expected to be as high as in other sectors. Secondly, as in any business, end users will look for efficiency gains. Bioethanol production will be a volume market, but is one where variety or crop advantages will be picked up. Beluga winter wheat, with its high alcohol yields and processing suitability may make it a preferred choice, particuarly in the north. The advent of non-food and feed wheat markets will open up new opportunities for contract production of wheat, which will underpin opting for high yielding 2rd and 3rd wheat varieties such as Beluga, JB Diego and Scout.

Which varieties are resistant to Chlortoluron?

Scout is chlortoluron resistant. JB Diego is sensitive and Beluga looks promising from two year's trials and we await the final results of the third year of testing which are due in the summer. For a full list of varieties which are resistant or sensitive to Chlortoluron go to

Is Scout suitable for early drilling?

Scout appears to have all of the attributes to be suitable for early drilling - slow primordial development from an early September sowing (days to GS31 Scout +8, Claire +5), stiff straw, excellent disease resistance, particularly eyespot, and a high specific weight. At very early sowings the seed rate should be between 125-150 seed/m2. It would be advisble to keep the seed rate on the high side with Scout. Its excellent disease resistance and high specific weight will ensure a standing crop of good quality at harvest. The worst outcome would be to have too few plants established.

Senova Ltd, 49 North Road, Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6AS Tel: +44 (0)1223 890777, Fax: +44 (0)1223 890666 Email: info@senova.uk.com

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