Backed up by a sound agronomic package, Butler also offers growers additional attributes that are desirable for strategic rotational decisions.
“This rotational flexibility comes about as Butler has a low vernalisation requirement which means that the variety can be sown from the beginning of October right through to the end of February.”
“The variability in drilling date means that Butler can go in early or as an option for growers looking for varieties to drill after sugar beet or potatoes, thereby offering options and flexibility within the rotation,” says Ron Granger, arable technical manager with Limagrain.
He adds that Butler is medium tillering with a semi prostrate growth habit in autumn, however it is very fast developing in the spring with an erect growth habit and early ear development.
“The ability to move quickly in the spring is a really valuable trait in terms of blackgrass competition – a valuable attribute that growers can make use of within the cultural control arsenal against blackgrass. This is an area that we are looking into much more closely as breeders.”
Bred by Limagrain UK, Butler has consistently proven itself in terms of yield and quality during national list testing. This consistent high yielding ability is no doubt due to the robust disease resistance genetics behind the variety, which is a cross between Group 2 Walpole and the popular Group 1, Crusoe.
“The cross was designed to achieve a high quality bread making wheat with enhanced yield performance and good grain quality from Walpole but with the additional sound agronomic traits, disease resistance and superior bread making quality from Crusoe. Butler also carries the characteristic bright green leaf colouring associated with Crusoe,” says Les Daubney, cereal product manager for Limagrain.
The strong disease resistance of the variety is demonstrated by Butler’s high untreated yield results at 81% over control, 14% above Solstice and 12% ahead of Gallant. Treated yields from Butler show similar trends with Butler producing a very respectable 101% over control, 4% over Solstice and 6% over Gallant.