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 2008.
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.
The dry spring in Canterbury certainly affected spring sown barley yields with the mean yield down 1.5 t/ha plus, compared with the 4 year mean, on the dryland trial sites. Yield was also back on the Dunsandel and Rakaia irrigated sites. Some of the new cultivars were amongst the highest yielding including CRBA125 and Bumpa. Mean yields in Marton and Chatton were similar to the 4 year mean yields. The Wanganui site was subject to lodging with consequent lower yields. Snakebite was the highest yielding of the newer cultivars in the southern North Island and Southland.
Raffles had the highest yield in the Canterbury spring wheat trials, followed closely by Morph and Tribute. Sage was again the top performer in the southern North Island and Southland. Spring wheat was also badly affected by the dry spring conditions in Canterbury.
FAR welcomes any queries or suggestions to further improve these booklets, or if you require any additional information that we have not included please contact us.
Rob Craigie
Cereals Project Manager