Eight new winter oilseed rape varieties join the 2025-26 AHDB Recommended List (RL), with most receiving regional recommendations, reflecting the greater variation in performance in the crop.

The new additions include four top-yielding hybrids, a conventional suited to the North and two varieties with a specific recommendation for resistance to common strains of clubroot.

This year’s winter oilseed rape Recommended Lists seems to be better than industry has ever seen, despite a declining crop area, explains Agrii technical specialist David Leaper.

See also: Drilling regime and companion crop achieve high OSR yields

“It’s good to see other breeders coming through the market. With more stability and options, it may give growers confidence to return to OSR, but it does beg the question: do we need as many recommended varieties?,” he says.

Maverick – East/West

New variety Maverick from NZPU claims the highest-yielding winter oilseed rape, with a gross output of 108% for the UK and 109% for the East/West.

It also boasts strong disease resistance with a top-rating of 9 for stem canker and a 7 for light leaf spot.

Beckii Gibbs, seed sales manager at United Oilseeds, says Maverick is one of the stand out varieties, leading the East/West region for yield.

© NPZ-UK

“Without a doubt it will be a top choice for growers. We know it establishes well, motoring through any early challenges. Scoring an 8 for phoma with RlmS and Rlm7 genes, it provides excellent stem health.”

It stands up well on other scores, with an Intermediate rating for verticillium and TuYV resistance. However, it lacks pod shatter resistance.

Adapt – UK

Just one new non-specialist hybrid is recommended across the UK: LG Adapt. This has the highest gross output for any variety with pod shatter resistance on the RL (108% for the UK).

With disease ratings of 7 and 6 for light leaf spot and stem canker, respectively, it has a set of strong agronomic traits.

“A standout for this variety is its high oil content at 46.5% compared to market favourite Aurelia at 44.8%. This is a significant step up and could add considerable value for growers,” Beckii adds.

“It’s destined to do well. Everything else stacks up, with turnip yellows virus (TuYV) resistance, excellent stem health and strong autumn and spring vigour, with 8s for both lodging resistance and stem stiffness.

Hinsta and Magelan – East/West

Two other non-specialist hybrid varieties have joined Maverick for the East/West region. These are Hinsta from KWS and Magelan from Limagrain.

Both are lower yielding than Maverick, with a gross output of 106% but come with pod shatter resistance. Magelan comes with the addition of being moderately resistant to verticillium.

Avenger and Powerhouse – North

For the North region, there are two new recommendations: Avenger and Powerhouse.

Hybrid variety recommended for the North Avenger from Limagrain is an exciting addition, explains Beckii, who believes there’s a place for the variety across the UK.

“With one of the highest gross outputs in the North at 106%, it’s disappointing that it only got official recommendation for that region, as its East/West performance is comparable to strong varieties already on the RL such as Auckland and Vegas.”

“Its combined autumn and spring vigour is a step up, and it carries key traits like TuYV resistance and the ‘stem health stamp of approval’ from limagrain, with tolerance to cylindrosporium, verticillium, and phoma.

Adding to the appeal is its new “Sclero-Flex” trait for improved sclerotinia tolerance. “Add all this up, Avenger is an exciting all-round package for growers.”

Powerhouse from Elsoms claims the highest conventional yield in the North, with a gross output of 102% and ratings of 7 for light leaf spot and 5 for stem canker.

David notes: “Conventional varieties are becoming an increasingly niche part of the market, but it’s good to still see varietal developments in this area.”

Like other conventionals, Powerhouse lacks some of the traits found in hybrids, but its yield good light leaf spot resistance and the flexibility to home-save seed will attract growers.

Crusoe and Cromputer

© MAG/Richard Allison

Two new varieties with a specific recommendation for resistance to the common strains of clubroot join the UK RL: Crusoe from NPZU and Cromputer from DSV.

Crusoe is now the highest yielding clubroot-resistant variety on the RL, with the highest disease resistance rating for stem canker (7).

Agrii’s David Leaper explains: “Crusoe offers a 10% yield uplift on current market leader Crome, which is developed by the same breeder.

“I suspect Crusoe will replace much of the existing Crome area.”

“Cromputer is 5% lower yielding than Crusoe so it is hard to see where this variety will fit, but I suspect this will supersede the area of DSV’s Crocodile,” he continues.

Both Crusoe and Cromputer are moderately resistant to verticillium and resistant to turnip yellows virus (TuYV).

However, David stipulates that growers should only grow these varieties where there is a history of clubroot, which can otherwise lead to resistance build-up.

The AHDB states that varieties may be susceptible to some strains of clubroot in certain fields.