Winter wheat growers are set to benefit from a new high-yielding Group 4 hard wheat which could earn them up to £5/t extra for milling.

Beowulf from Limagrain is a cross between Costello and Gleam and is the seed breeder’s first new variety since Typhoon in 2022.

It joins 10 other varieties in a competitive Group 4 hard wheat line-up, which now accounts for almost 50% of the winter wheat certified seed market.

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Drilled as a first or second wheat, Beowulf has a yield of 106%, putting it on a par with Champion, while its untreated yield of 91% matches Dawsum.

Ron Granger, Limagrain’s arable technical manager, favours October drilling dates, with seed rates of 300-325 seeds/sq m in early October and 350–375 seeds/sq m at the end of October. 

However, some growers may opt for earlier drilling next season and he does not see September drilling being a problem, as Beowulf has performed well in AHDB trials, when drilled before 25 September.

A rating of 8 for lodging, both treated and untreated, is only matched by Cranium in this group.

Septoria resistance is rated 6.7, yellow rust 9 and brown rust 5.

Beowulf also has orange wheat blossom midge resistance, which according to Limagrain, is becoming increasingly important for growers in the south-east of England.

It ripens two days later than Skyfall (used as the benchmark on the Recommended List) and produces a quality grain with a protein content of 11.1%, a Hagberg of 253 and specific weight of 78.3kg/hl.