David Bouch, Head of Seeds, Hutchinsons give his views on wheat and barley variety choices for this coming autumn.
Variety selection in winter wheat is, in many respects, more straightforward than the breadth of the AHDB 2026/27 Recommended List might suggest. Across the groups there are clear frontrunners, some compelling newcomers, and a handful of varieties that merit close attention ahead of autumn drilling.
Group 1
KWS Vibe continues to build market share and that trajectory will continue into 2026. The variety to watch, however, is Arlington — a genuine new entry with Group 1 approval, strong untreated yield performance and blossom midge resistance. Seed supply is limited at this stage, so growers keen to access it should move quickly. Skyfall retains its place through sheer flexibility and, while Arlington claims comparable traits, Skyfall’s established track record means it will remain a reliable default for many. Crusoe continues to appeal where consistent quality is the primary driver.
Group 2
KWS Arnie is gaining traction and should see increased uptake this autumn. KWS Extase remains the benchmark in this sector — well proven, well understood and unlikely to be dislodged any time soon.
Group 3
Bamford will hold its position as Group 3 market leader, though hectares may ease slightly. Its strength lies in multiple end market options, which provides growers with useful commercial flexibility. Solitaire is worth consideration where robust PGR management can be guaranteed —but the potential is there.
Candidate variety, Sunspire is one to note for 2027. Think Bamford with a yield step-up and the addition of orange wheat blossom midge (OWBM) resistance — a variety that, if it continues on its current trajectory, will be well worth positioning for.
Group 4 Soft
Group 4 soft remains a limited proposition in my view. Sparkler yields well, but its advantage over the Group 3s is negligible and it lacks their end market breadth. It does carry the best septoria score in the soft 4 sector and shows ability in western regions, which may make it relevant in the right situations. RGT Hexton merits attention in northern growing areas, where it delivers very high yield combined with a suitability for early drilling programmes.
Group 4 Hard
This remains the single largest group and autumn 2026 brings some genuinely interesting new options.
LG Defiance looks a strong proposition: it carries the highest untreated yield in the group and sits second on the recommended list overall. Grain quality is good, it performs well as a second wheat, and it also carries OWBM resistance. On paper its straw strength is a relative weakness, so performance across a range of farm situations this season will be telling. LG Challenger looks a natural companion variety, though seed availability appears tight and growers should confirm supply early.
Aintree offers 1% more yield than Defiance but carries a yellow rust score that will demand attentive crop management — a worthwhile trade-off for some but not all. KWS Scope and Champion will both attract demand, with Champion’s robust septoria resistance a significant practical asset. Graham enters its second decade on the RL and remains a dependable option in the west, valued for its septoria package and flexibility for early drilling where that fits the rotation.
Varieties No Longer Listed
Growers should note that the following varieties have been removed from the Recommended List for 2026: Almara, Costello, Gleam, KWS Cranium, KWS Newbie, KWS Ultimatum, LG Astronomer, LG Skyscraper, Oxford, RGT Bairstow and RGT Wolverine. Any seed stocks in hand should be reviewed accordingly.
Winter Barley
Winter barley hectares shrunk last season and, for now, any significant recovery looks unlikely. That said, for growers who remain committed to the crop, the variety choices are relatively clear-cut.
In the malting sector, Buccaneer remains the standout choice and will continue to lead drilling decisions. On the feed side, LG Capitol holds the position as the highest-yielding two-row option available, while Caravelle looks set to retain its status as market leader.
In hybrid barley, the leading choice has effectively narrowed to a two-horse race between Inys and SY Quantock. SY Kingsbarn will nonetheless hold demand, and SY Barnabas warrants attention as the current highest-yielding variety on the list.
Two candidates deserving particular note are KWS Blis and KWS Lemuris, both of which carry BYDV tolerance — an increasingly valuable trait given the ongoing aphid pressure challenge. KWS Blis is especially impressive, combining high yield with a bushel weight exceeding 73kg/hl. Finally, Inferno is one to monitor as it continues to perform well in trials.
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