Early farm trial results show solid hybrid performance in a challenging season

Although not yet including some of the traditionally highest yielding northern and western sites, early results from Dekalb’s extensive series of field-scale strip trials run with up to 15  growers across the country confirm that yields are noticeably back on last season.

Average 9% moisture seed yields from the eight hybrids included in the first six, mainly southern, farm trials to be harvested work out at just under 3.9 t/ha against around 4.3t/ha at the same stage in 2022.

“We take yield measurements from at least a half hectare of each variety grown side-by-side in strips of up to 3ha under a range of strictly commercial farm management regimes,” explains Bayer trials manager, Richard Williams.  “Although unreplicated, this ensures the trials give us the most realistic comparison of varieties’ actual farm performance abilities we can get.

“Heading the performance field so far with a yield of 112% of the mainstream Recommended List double low hybrid included as a comparator is DK Exposé, showing its particular strength in a challenging season.

“Once again, DK Excited and DK Extremus are shining with relative seed yields of 111% and 107% respectively. “At 105% of the comparator, newly available DK Exbury is cementing its place as the natural successor to DK Exstar with an average yield 4% ahead of the farm favourite,” Mr Williams adds. “Across all our sites it recorded a very good 74% establishment and the lowest winter plant losses of any variety. Its combination of rapid autumn and spring development, strong phoma, light leaf spot and TuYV resistance, standing power and pod shatter resistance certainly make the emerging new all-rounder one to watch.”