New cereal varieties for 2015

Wet weather caused problems for many farmers this summer, and fusarium head blight took its toll in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Farmers hit by fusarium head blight (FHB) this year might be interested in new varieties from CPS, FP Genetics and SeCan. All three companies are releasing varieties with moderate to excellent FHB resistance.
 

Variety from the same breeding program as Triactor. High yields and a shorter stature with better lodging resistance. Improved quality attributes with higher percentage of plumps and higher beta-glucan. Under evaluation with millers.
 

Offers improved yields over Strongfield and introduces the highest level of solid stemness available in the durum class, minimizing the risk of grade and quality loss resulting from wheat stem sawfly. Improved lodging over Strongfield, and an MR rating for FHB. Available from Proven Seed at all CPS retail locations.
 

Offers growers top yield performance, while providing improvements to disease resistance and harvest efficiency. Available from Proven Seed at all CPS retail locations.
 

FP Genetics
 

Very early maturing variety with excellent resistance to FHB. Very good rating for resistance to lodging. Resistant to leaf rust, stem rust and stripe rust. Yields 100 per cent of AC Barrie. Supplies are limited.
 

Yields 117 per cent of AC Barrie. Very good resistance to leaf rust, stem rust and bunt. Resistance to the orange wheat blossom midge.
 

The first viable hybrid cereal to be introduced to Western Canada. Very high yield. It is shorter and with greater uniformity in maturity will mean straight cutting is possible. It also has better winter hardiness than other winter crops. Significantly higher falling number than existing varieties, making it valuable for baking and distilling.
 

Pintail was originally listed in our 2012 seed guide, but it was only available to certified seed growers in previous years. It’s widely available for the first time this fall.
 

Developed at the Field Crop Development Centre in Lacombe, Alta. Pintail yields 107 per cent of Radiant, a red winter check variety. Excellent winter hardiness, good lodging and stripe rust resistance. Available through Mastin Seeds retailers.
 

SeCan
 

Yields five per cent higher than AC Carberry, with short, strong straw. Maturity equal to AC Carberry. Moderately resistant to FHB (good rating). Has a high test weight, and resistant to leaf rust, stem rust, stripe rust and smut.
 

Early-maturing variety. Harvest/Mckenzie parentage for good grade retention and good sprouting resistance. Averages five per cent higher yield and is one or two days earlier maturing than AC Barrie. Short, strong straw (similar to AC Stettler). Resistant to leaf rust, stem rust and stripe rust and has an intermediate resistance to FHB (Fair rating).
 

Well adapted to the western Prairies as a replacement for AC Crystal. It yields 105 per cent of 5700PR, with short strong straw and good sprouting resistance. Moderately susceptible to FHB (Poor rating) and resistant to leaf rust, stem rust and bunt.
 

Western Canada’s first solid-stemmed durum. Consistently exhibits a very solid stem (from ground level to the top of the stem) for excellent sawfly tolerance. Maturity, straw height and straw strength similar to AC Strongfield, with a higher grain protein content than AC Strongfield.
 

Has a smooth awn for improved palatability. Averaged 16 per cent higher forage yield than AC Ranger. Like CDC Cowboy, CDC Maverick is a tall plant type well-suited for dry areas or low input production. Moderately resistant to FHB (Good rating). Medium maturity, similar to AC Metcalfe. Overall performance is similar to CDC Cowboy, but with a smooth awn.
 

Feed barley with a semi-smooth awn. Very good lodging resistance, better than Vivar. Amisk has 15 per cent higher plumps than Vivar, grain yield similar to Vivar, and a medium maturity.
 

Provides seven per cent higher forage yield than CDC Baler. CDC Haymaker is a tall variety with late maturity. Has good forage quality with improved digestibility and large, plump kernels.
 

Syngenta
 

Yields 113 per cent of AC Metcalfe and 107 per cent of CDC Copeland. The variety matures similar to AC Metcalfe and produces heavy, plump kernels and short, strong straw with good lodging resistance. The widely adapted variety offers high yield potential, good foliar disease resistance and excellent malting quality. Limited seed available for seeding in 2015. Currently under market development by Syngenta Canada.