Cereals 2013: Bayer hopeful for Harper OSR

Bayer CropScience is optimistic its winter oilseed rape variety Harper will be its first to make the HGCA Recommended List later this year.

This hybrid variety is expected to make the list this November in a year when the German group launched its own seed company in Britain.
 
Harper and its conventional varieties Patron and Fletcher will be considered for the HGCA list this year, but Bayer holds out most hope for Harper.
 
Plant breeding is not new to Bayer as it is the world’s number one hybrid oilseed rape seed company, but it is new to breeding in Britain.
 
“We are convinced big technology breakthroughs will come in seeds and genetics,” says Andrew Orme, managing director of Bayer CropScience UK.
 
Adrian Cottey, the group’s seeds campaign manager, says Harper’s yield is 106% of control, has good standing power, disease resistance and early vigour.
 
“We are most optimistic about Harper, its characteristics are sound and it is likely to be recommended,” says Mr Cottey.