The FAR cultivar evaluation booklet is designed to provide growers with independent information on the regional and national performance of cereal varieties in New Zealand. This edition is a full appraisal of the performance of varieties sown in the winter and spring of 2007.
The Cereal Performance Trials (CPT) is a cooperative effort between FAR, several of the major seed companies, the Flour Millers Association and the Feed Manufacturers Association (NZFMA). FAR manages CPT2 which is the second stage of cultivar testing where the commercial (and a few pre-commercial) cultivars are evaluated. CPT1 is collaboration between the seed companies for testing advanced breeders material from which the most favourable cultivars progress into CPT2.
Spring cereal yields in Canterbury were generally down by at least 1 t/ha compared with the 4 year mean. The effect of the dry season can be seen in the two fold yield difference in the results from the spring barley irrigated and dryland trials at the FAR Chertsey Arable Site. Morph took the top spot for yield in the Canterbury spring wheat trials, although the yield gap between Morph and the new premium wheat Conquest was only 0.6 t/ha. Sage was the top performer in the North Island and Southland.
In barley, there are four new varieties entered into the CPT2 trials for the first time, producing encouraging yields.
FAR welcomes any comments or suggestions to further improve these booklets, or if you require any additional information that we have not included please contact us.
Happy hunting for your ideal cultivar!
The FAR team.