We usually pick up the latest variety information at the Blighty field day.
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It was cancelled and replaced by a recent leaflet ‘Cereal varieties – newer varieties and potential releases in 2023’.
Information from this leaflet has been combined with the NSW DPI Winter crop variety guide 2022 and last year's group results.
This season’s variety performance will also be a guide for next year.
There are no new varieties with National Variety Trial (NVT) yield results better than the current choices.
It may be two to three years before we see higher yielding stripe rust resistant varieties.
As there are no obvious replacements for Kittyhawk, Scepter, Beckom and Catapult.
The below list includes more varieties than usual for your evaluation, which has taken quite a while to put together.
Graze and grain varieties.
We still have the standards.
Kittyhawk has a moderately resistant (MR) rating for stripe rust and Wedgetail has a moderately susceptible (MS) rating for stripe rust.
Illabo, an alternative to Wedgetail, with higher grain yield, has a moderately resistant to moderately susceptible (MR-MS) rating for stripe rust.
These varieties can be sown late March or earlier if kept grazed.
Early sown grain varieties
The start of sowing for these varieties is the third week in April.
New varieties Longreach Raider and Longreach Stealth averaged a National Variety Trial (NVT) yield rating of 110 after two years testing.
The yield of these varieties compare to the three to four years results of tested varieties Catapult with NVT yield rating of 120, Lancer 109 and Sheriff CL Plus 116.
Sherriff CL Plus APW (see main season CL varieties): The APW quality may put you off, but Sherriff CL is a high trial yielder. It has a susceptible stripe rust rating and no rating for acidity.
Sherriff CL irrigated early sown NVT yield at Blighty last year (2021) was 8t/ha and the main season yield 8.8t/ha.
At the dryland NVT site at Oaklands in the early sown NVT trial the yield was 7.1t/ha and in the main sown trial 6t/ha. In the NVT SW NSW early season trials over three years the average yield rating was 116.
For the susceptible rating for stripe rust an essential control option is to use flutriafol on fertiliser providing control until the flag leaf DC39 stage or be ready to spray at DC 31 (first node) and spray to protect the flag leaf.
It has yellow spot MR-MS resistance enabling low risk when sowing into wheat stubble.
The falling number index is one rating less than Scepter. Blackpoint is moderately susceptible (MS). No sprouting rating.
Lancer APH: Lancer has been in trials for a while but has good resistance to stripe rust - resistant to moderate resistance.
In the irrigated NVT trial at Blighty last year (2021) yield was moderate 8.0t/ha and 6.0t/ha at the dryland NVT site at Oaklands.
In the main NVT SW NSW early sown season results it’s mean yield rating was 109 after five years results.
In the Berrigan Show dryland competition this season the yield of a Lancer crop was estimated at 6.6t/ha from April 29 sowing.
It was not sprayed for stripe rust. It tends to lodge with yields above 6t/ha. It has moderate coleoptile length.
It is moderately susceptible (MS) to Septoria and has moderate resistance to moderate susceptible resistance (MR-MS) to yellow spot allowing low risk sowing into wheat stubble.
A significant downside is that it is moderately intolerant to intolerant of acid soils.
The NSW DPI Winter crop variety guide 2022 showed falling numbers lower than EGA Gregory and Scepter. Sprouting is MS-S. Blackpoint is good MR- MS.
Main season varieties
Scepter, Beckom, Calibre, Catapult and the newer varieties Boree, Sunmaster, Sunblade CL Plus, Hammer CL Plus and Anvil CL Plus are discussed.
Scepter AH: Scepter irrigated NVT yield at Blighty last year (2021) was a 9t/ha and 6.1t/ha at the dryland NVT site at Oaklands.
In the main NVT SW NSW main season results it’s mean yield rating was 118.
It is the main group dryland variety and had very high yields last season. It can be sown from Anzac Day onwards. It has moderate tolerance to acidity.
It’s now rated more susceptible to stripe rust at MS-S, which is moderately susceptible to susceptible.
Some farmers sprayed up to four times. The high yielding Scepter crops in the Berrigan Show dryland competition were sprayed twice.
A good control option is to use flutriafol on fertiliser providing control until the flag leaf DC39 stage or be ready to spray at DC 31 (first node) and spray to protect the flag leaf.
It has yellow spot tolerance enabling the sowing of it into wheat stubble. The falling number index is moderate (five). Sprouting is MS-S. Black point rating is moderately susceptible (MS).
At the GRDC pre-season podcast earlier in the year we heard CSIRO has a major pre-breeding project on heat tolerance.
Scepter field tolerance is high, pollen viability moderate and overall rating moderately tolerant.
It is the most heat tolerant variety we grow. The hotter springs will soon be back. Scepter lodging is good and sprouting rated MS-S.
Beckom AH: Beckom’s irrigated NVT yield in 2021 was 8.9t/ha and 5.8t/ha at the dryland NVT site.
Beckom went very well in the irrigated group results. In the main NVT SW NSW main season results it’s mean yield rating was 118.
It can be sown Anzac Day onwards. It has tolerance to moderate tolerance to acidity.
It has good resistance to stripe rust rated moderately resistant to moderately susceptible (MR-MS) but may need a preventative spray at flag leaf DC39.
Beckom is a good option for farmers tired from spraying other varieties. The downside is poor yellow spot tolerance, MS-S when sowing retained stubble.
Heat tolerance ratings are moderate field tolerance and overall rating moderate.
Beckom lodging is moderate/good and often leans over. Sprouting is rated MS-S. It is boron tolerant. MR-MS for black point.
Calibre APH: Calibre has the potential to be a super variety in dry autumns.
The irrigated NVT yield in 2021 was 8.8t/ha and 6.3t/ha at the dryland NVT site.
In the main NVT SW NSW main season results it’s mean yield rating was 118, equal with Scepter at 118.
Calibre is an alternative to Scepter but one farmer in 2021 found it 10cm taller with more lodging than Scepter. It can be sown Anzac Day onwards or earlier if sown deep.
Calibre has no rating for acidity. It’s rated MS to stripe rust slightly better than Scepter but use the Scepter control strategy.
It has moderate resistance to moderately susceptible (MR-MS) resistance to yellow leaf spot so is suitable for sowing into retained wheat stubbles.
No heat tolerance testing so far. Sprouting is rated as good. No rating for black point.
The GRDC podcast earlier in the year described a long coleoptile CSIRO pre-breeding project centred at Narrabri.
Calibre was included in the project trial testing.
It has a long coleoptile, which means it can be sown on much deeper soil moisture. It’s been trialled at 12 cm and emergence was good but not as good as 4cm.
The chances of Calibre being sown on time in late April on low soil moisture are much higher than other varieties.
One farmer said deeper sowing will be good for pre-emergent herbicides separation.
I suggest you evaluate a couple passes at deeper sowing compared to the normal sowing depth.
Catapult AH: Catapult’s irrigated NVT yield in 2021 was 8.7t/ha and 5.8t/ha at the dryland NVT site.
In the Berrigan Show dryland wheat competition this year two contestants said Catapult outyields Scepter.
In the NVT yield results over four years the mean yield rating was 118 the same as Scepter.
It can be sown in the third week April onwards. It has moderate tolerance to acidity.
The downside is the stripe rust rating of susceptible and weak adult resistance.
Your control options are flutriafol on fertiliser giving control to the flag leaf stage DC39 or spraying at DC 31 (first node) and spraying to protect the flag leaf.
One of the high yielding crops in the Berrigan competition only had two sprays.
It has tolerance (MR-MS) to yellow spot tolerance enabling sowing of wheat stubbles.
No heat tolerance testing so far. It has a moderate/good lodging rating. It was lodged in the early sown irrigated NVT 2021 trial. Sprouting is rated MS-S.
It has a good falling number rating of six, above Scepter on five. Black point is MS-S.
Boree APH: Boree may be worth an evaluation for one to two seasons.
Boree irrigated NVT yield in 2021 was 8.8t/ha and 5.6t/ha at the dryland NVT site.
In the NVT SW NSW main season results averaged over two years the yield rating was 117 v Scepter 118.
It’s a midseason wheat with maturity between Beckom and Scepter so can be sown from the last week April.
It is suited to a range of acidity, soil types and environments.
MS-S stripe rust is the same as Scepter. MR-MS for yellow leaf spot so suitable for sowing wheat stubbles.
It has good straw strength and medium plant height although in 2021 it looked too tall for high irrigated yields.
No ratings for sprouting, lodging, acidity, black point or falling number.
Sunmaster APH: Sunmaster may be worth an evaluation over the next one to two seasons.
The irrigated NVT yield in 2021 was a high 9.3t/ha and 6t/ha at the dryland NVT site.
It is a Suntop replacement with less lodging and higher yield potential.
In the NVT SW NSW main season results averaged over three years the yield rating was 117 v Scepter 118.
It can be sown Anzac Day onwards.
No acidity rating yet.
It’s rated MR-MS to stripe rust so has good resistance – probably like Beckom – check stripe rust at the flag leaf stage.
No heat tolerance testing so far. It is shorter than Suntop. Lodging rating is MR-MS. Sprouting is rated MS-S.
The yellow leaf spot resistance rating is moderately susceptible to susceptible (MS-S) indicating disease risk sowing retained stubble. R-MR black point is good.
Sunblade CL Plus APH: In the Blighty irrigated NVT in 2021 yield was a high 9.4t/ha and 5.5 t/ha at the dryland Oaklands NVT site.
In the NVT SW NSW main season yield results averaged over three years, the yield rating was 115 v Scepter 118.
It is the first APH quality Clearfield Intervix® variety released in NSW.
Higher yielding then Elmore CL Plus. It is derived from Suntop with similar maturity.
Slightly shorter than Suntop, it has good stripe rust resistance MR-MS.
Yellow leaf spot is MS-S giving disease risk in retained stubble. MR black point. Susceptible sprouting.
Hammer CL Plus AH: Hammer CL Plus in the NVT SW NSW main season yield results averaged over two years, the yield rating was 106 v Scepter 118.
It is a quick maturing variety tolerant to Clearfield Intervix® herbicide.
Closely related to Mace with similar adaption. Sow first week May.
Resistance to crownrot is MS-S and resistance to stripe rust MS.
Yellow spot resistance is MR-MS good for sowing into retained stubble.
Septoria resistance is MS-S. MR to black point is good. It has low screenings and high test weight. Sprouting is MS-S.
Anvil CL Plus Longreach (LPB17-6157): Anvil CL Plus has had only one year of testing in the NVT SW NSW main season yield results and the yield rating was 114 v Scepter 118.
It has quick maturity and is a two gene IMI wheat. Good early vigour good weed competition. Has good grain size.
Suited to low-medium rainfall systems. Quality AH SA/Vic. NSW quality classification will be in Autumn 2023.
Bred by GIA, developed by Longreach Plant Breeders and released by Pacific Seeds.
VS resistance for powdery mildew. Stripe rust rating is MS-S. Yellow Leaf Spot is MS-S. Septoria resistance is very susceptible (VS).
Rockstar and Vixen are not recommended because of sprouting susceptibility and susceptibility to stripe rust.
~ John Lacy (pictured) is an independent agricultural consultant based in Finley.
Founder, Finley Discussion Group