Spring Wheat

Spring – sown wheat represents only 2 - 3 % of the total UK wheat area, and consequently is not a major part of most modern breeding programmes. Breeders do however use spring types of wheat in their programmes because of the considerable demand for “alternative” varieties that can be sown in late autumn after roots, or after the turn of the year if weather dictates. Xi19 is a good example of such a variety.

True spring types are more popular in continental Europe, where the colder winters often provide a bigger requirement for spring cereals in general.

Limagrain UK are pleased to represent the variety Tybalt (named after a character in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”) from the Netherlands breeder Wiersum. Although Tybalt is a true spring wheat, it can be sown from November onwards. It performs at a similar level to Solstice from late autumn sowings, and is the highest yielding bread-making variety when drilled in the spring.