In Canterbury, overall autumn sown feed and biscuit wheat yields were the same as the four year average of 11.5 t/ha. However, yields were down by an average 1.2 t/ha in dryland trials reflecting the dry season, and up by 0.8 t/ha in irrigated trials. The average yield at the Wakanui feed and biscuit wheat trial site was 16 t/ha with Katch 42 topping this trial at 16.8 t/ha! The four year analysis showed the top yielding cultivars in the Canterbury irrigated trials were Wakanui, Torch and Starfire. These cultivars were in the top group in the dryland trials as well, together with Conqueror and Gator.
A number of newer milling cultivars are showing good yield performance. In the premium milling category Duchess and Reliance are out-yielding Conquest while maintaining high proteins. Discovery, in its second year in CPT2, was the top yielding medium grade milling wheat. Hanson, which is in its first year of CPT2 was the highest yielding gristing wheat.
For the third season Sanette is at the top of the autumn sown barley trials in Canterbury and Southland. Three coded cultivars, SYN411-285, SYN411-287 and SYN411-291, also yielded at 10 t/ha or above at St Andrews.
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