Claire winter wheat, recommended by HGCA, SAC, and DANI, produces very high yields of soft milling grain suitable for biscuits, the blended flour export market, and distilling.

Claire performs well in untreated trials, owing to its good disease resistance. This allows a more targeted approach to producing wheat on farm.

Pedigree - Wasp x Flame.

All data is a partial extraction from the HGCA Recommended List.  The full database can be consulted at www.hgca.com

HUSBANDRY GUIDELINES
ROTATION
Ideal first, second and continuous wheat.
DRILLING DATE
Claire can be drilled safely from early September until the end of February.
SEED RATE
Claire has a high tillering capacity so opportunities exist to reduce seed rates. For early September drillings, sowing rates can be reduced to 160 seeds per square metre. This should rise to 350 seeds in late October. Seed rates should be adjusted upwards for second/continuous wheats, poor seedbed conditions, crops sown in November/December and northern regions of the UK. In general, seed rates should be 10% lower than Consort.
NITROGEN
The exact amount will depend on soil type, yield potential and residual nitrogen indices. Two thirds of the total should be applied at GS 32 and the remainder at GS 39.
DISEASE CONTROL
Claire has outstanding resistance to yellow rust and above average resistance to Septoria tritici so there are opportunities to reduce fungicide use. Resistance to mildew infection is moderate so attention should be paid to controlling this disease if infection occurs.
GROWTH REGULATION
For low yield potential sites - below 7t/ha - growth regulators maybe withheld. However, in most situations an insurance application of chlormequat at GS 30/31 would be beneficial.
HARVEST
In order to take full advantage of Claire’s superior grain characteristics, priority should be given at harvest over ordinary feed varieties. Claire should be stored separately to optimise marketing opportunities.