Hyperion offers growers cost saving plus superior yields

Second wheat growing demands a new approach in order to secure long term viability, says a top UK wheat breeder.

“At Nickerson we are looking at the production of wheat in a sustainable way - with lower inputs and the opportunity to reduce growing costs by breeding into varieties traits that can knock out a spray,” says Bill Angus.

Mr Angus highlights the only three opportunities growers currently have to remove individual spray treatments and thus reduce costs:

•         Growth regulators – if very stiff straw and/or low yield potential, less than 8t/ha

•         Orange Wheat Blossom Midge

•         Eyespot spray if using a VPM resistant variety

Growers will be familiar with the first two options, yet until now the third option, VPM eyespot resistance, has not featured heavily in UK wheats. And the reason for this is that historically the introduction of the resistance gene has been associated with low yields and poor specific weights, he explains.

The UK is lagging behind other European countries in this approach, and in certain areas of the US over 50% of varieties have the resistance gene.

But now due to Nickerson’s breeding efforts, new variety, Hyperion, carries not only the VPM eyespot resistance but is the only variety that combines it with stiff straw, good specific weight and high yields. “And this makes it just that little bit special,” says Mr Angus.

“VPM is absolute resistance and is very effective. Farmers often don’t know whether to put an eyespot spray on but now we have provided a genetic solution for what has in the past been a chemistry problem,” he says.

And this means growers will not only be able to save around £7.00/ha, but also take advantage of the superior yields Hyperion offers.

In Nickerson’s own second wheat farmer-trials Hyperion averaged 112% compared to controls over three years, and TAG data supports this with 109% across six sites.

Mr Angus believes the inclusion of eyespot resistance will establish a new concept for second wheat growing and is a building block to develop a high level of success.

For further information contact: Frank Curtis on 01472 371471 or fcurtis@nickerson.co.uk or go to www.nickersonuk.com