2020 spring cereal crops still have a long way to go before harvest, but knowing the seed availability for the following season gives growers an idea of seed availability for next season and also gives people an opportunity to keep an eye on certain varieties this year.

Spring barley

On spring barley, RGT Planet still takes up the majority of seed, but there is a good spread of variety choice. The newer varieties on the list are SY Arderin from Seedtech, which had 6% availability for 2020, and Highway from Drummonds.

Spring barley seed availability for the 2021 season (%):
  • RGT Planet – 35%;
  • Gangway – 19%;
  • SY Errigal – 16%;
  • Prospect – 12%;
  • Laureate – 9%;
  • SY Arderin – 8%;
  • Highway – 1%.

Spring oats

Husky will take up more than half of the spring oat seed for 2021, with 53% of the seed availability. WPB Isabel follows at 43%, while Barra accounts for 3% and a new variety KWS Nuage will have 1% availability.

Spring oat seed availability for the 2021 season (%):
  • Husky – 53%;
  • WPB Isabel – 43%;
  • Barra – 3%;
  • KWS Nuage – 1%.

Spring wheat

KWS Talisker will have the majority share of the spring wheat seed availability in 2021 at 54%. KWS Starlight follows at 24% and Hexham will take up 21%, while WPB Duncan will account for 1% of the seed availability.

Spring wheat seed availability for the 2021 season (%)
  • KWS Talisker – 54%;
  • KWS Starlight – 24%;
  • Hexham – 21%;
  • WPB Duncan – 1%.