· Highest 1st wheat yields

· Very high untreated yield

· Resistant to Wheat Orange Blossom Midge

· Excellent disease resistance

The highest yielding first wheat available, Oakley has the ability to satisfy the yield expectation of any feed wheat grower, at the same time offering good agronomic benefits and resistance to wheat orange blossom midge.

Yield

Throughout its development, Oakley has continued to demonstrate the highest yield potential, particularly when fungicide treated, a performance that is matched by excellent untreated yields.

Performance as a second cereal is still under evaluation, but Oakley yields at high levels and, whilst there is an associated yield drop from sowing in this position, the overall performance remains above other key feed varieties.

Oakley is suitable for sowing on any soil type and performs at the highest levels in all regions of the UK.

Agronomy

Oakley has moderate winter dormancy and is suitable for sowing from mid September onward and maintains very high potential through to November. Mid September to mid October represents the main sowing window for winter wheat. Crop census data estimates that over 70% of the UK winter wheat acreage is established during this period.
The latest safe sowing date for Oakley is the end of February.

With good tillering ability and excellent tiller retention, seed rates should be calculated to produce a spring plant population of no more than 220 plants m 2 from mid September sowing.

Disease Resistance

Oakley has a very good disease resistance profile. Excellent mildew and brown rust resistance is supported by a Septoria tritici resistance very similar in the field to its parent, Robigus.
Fungicide programmes should be structured to suit the pressures of the season but inputs may be tailored to take account of the Septoria tritici ratings. Eyespot control may be justified in high pressure situations.

PGR Treatments

Oakley has medium length stiff straw. However, with the potential to perform at such high levels a routine PGR application is recommended at GS 31. Additional treatment may be advisable if yield potential is expected to be very high.

Wheat Orange Blossom Midge

Oakley is resistant to Wheat Orange Blossom Midge and is unlikely to require specific treatment. Under very high pressure, as in all resistant varieties, there may be a yield improvement from WOBM control.

Oakley is tolerant to Chlorotoluron

All information is a partial extraction from the Cpb-Twyford's website and also the HGCA Recommended List 2007/8. See www.cpb-twyford.co.uk and also www.hgca.com for the full dataset