The perception that only Group 4 hard feed wheats can be termed as ’barn- fillers’ is being challenged by leading plant breeder Nickerson.
"Historically, Group 4 feed wheats tended to have a yield advantage over other types. However, a close look at the current HGCA Recommended List shows that, with very few exceptions, today’s Group 4 varieties do not offer any yield advantage over the best of the nabim Group 2 and Group 3 wheats," emphasises Lee Robinson, Director of Marketing - Arable Seeds for Limagrain UK.
"Plant breeders such as Nickerson have invested significant resources in developing high-performing Group 2 and Group 3 varieties such as Panorama and Invicta which deliver significant benefits. Panorama, the highest-yielding of the Group 2s, and Invicta, the highest-yielding nabim Group 3, for example, match or exceed the yields of most Group 4 feed-only varieties but have clear advantaged in terms of providing premium potential and open up a much wider range of marketing options.
"Panorama is one of a new generation of Group 2 milling wheats and appeals to growers and millers. It has an HGCA Recommended List treated yield of 102, which compares very favorably with Group 4 varieties, but critically gives growers access to a much wider range of markets. One of the leading UK millers, Heygates, likes the variety’s consistent bread-making qualities and has ranked it the best Group 2 for bread-making.
"Invicta extends the range of opportunities to the domestic biscuit market, as well as providing grain for other domestic flour needs, such as cakes and thickeners. It also meets the requirements for export, distilling and animal feed, while the developing biofuels market will be a valuable additional outlet, which is a particularly important consideration for growers in the north of the UK.
"Based on the HGCA Recommended List treated yield of 10.81 t/ha and a £10/t premium over feed wheat at £140/tonne, Panorama generates a gross margin of £1113/ha and Invicta at 10.92 t/ha with a £5/t premium produces £1087/ha, which is up to £83/ha higher than Group 4s."
