Harvesting of over 15,000 trials plots across the main wheat-growing regions of the UK is in full swing as part of the trials programme of plant breeders Nickerson.  The programme tests new breeder’s lines as well as current and potential varieties for this year’s recommended list.

“Consistent performers such as Claire, Alchemy, Zebedee and Sahara have really done well to date,” said Bill Angus, the company’s senior wheat breeder. “This underlines the importance of testing new varieties over a range of years and sites to pick out consistency - some varieties which performed so well in the exceptional hot weather of 2006 have performed less well when faced with this year’s wetter summer.”

The specially-designed Sampo trial combines, each costing over £80,000, harvest the seed from the trial plots and record the yield and other key parameters ready for detailed analysis and trials results on the performance of each variety.

“The Sampo is one of a number of trials combines in our fleet along with a whole range of other specialist equipment, and is a sign of our investment and our commitment to breeding even better varieties for the UK grower,” Mr Angus added.