’Grow quality wheat’s and we will buy them.’ That was the clear message from Banks Cargill Seeds Director Charlie Whitmarsh, and RHM’s senior wheat specialist Jim Shine, speaking on the 12th February at a technical briefing in Suffolk, which explored the market potential for Einstein - a new Group 2 variety bred by Nickerson.
Mr Whitmarsh, in his job advising farm customers and looking at marketing considerable quantities of wheat at home and abroad, is looking for varieties with real market appeal.
"We are particularly keen on varieties that give us marketing options," said Mr Whitmarsh. "Einstein has the potential to satisfy the quality requirements of millers at home and overseas.
"The UK demand for feed wheat is declining, because of changes in white meat production and the use of compound feed. The demands of current and developing markets is moving towards high quality Group 2 and Group 3 varieties. This shift can be seen in this year’s certified seed sales. For example, strong market demand for high quality wheats has led to Einstein taking 7% of the market in its launch year.
"This is because it has been consistently high yielding across locations and seasons, has very good grain quality, and is agronomically sound. It is not as susceptible to ergot, which was a problem with some varieties last year, and is almost as good in second wheat slots as it is in first.
"Good disease resistance enables inputs to be targeted at achieving both high yields and quality, resulting in very good Gross Margins. I am very comfortable recommending Einstein to our farmer customers, because I know it has good income potential, and it will be very marketable to consumers."
Einstein makes great bread
This was re-iterated by Mr Shine who said he is in no doubt that Einstein is a good milling wheat. The grain separates easily and produces clean white flour. Protein levels and Hagbergs are good, and it makes great bread-products, across a range of recipes and processes.
"RHM buys one million tonnes of breadmaking wheat a year. Varieties like Einstein should comprise a significant proportion of this total," he said.
"Overseas millers will also be keen to take Einstein for all the same reasons. It will particularly suit the Spanish and Portuguese; I know of at least two major millers in Portugal who think it is the ’bees knees’. I am sure millers in other countries will be after it too."
