Group 3 Zulu yields a surprise

This is the first time that we have grown Zulu on the farm, and we have had good results from the 16 hectares we put in – with yields averaging 10.56t/ha. These are typical yields that we would expect from a high yielding feed wheat so an extremely pleasing performance from a soft Group 3,” says Mr Barron.

Grown on silt clay loam over clay the wheats on Pattocks Farm are part of a five year rotation, that includes second wheats, oilseed rape, wheat again and then borage or potatoes.

“This particular crop of Zulu which is destined for seed, was drilled on 22nd September at a rate of 135kg/ha. It had a fairly standard but robust 4 –spray fungicide programme including a T0, as did the other varieties on the farm. This has kept disease at bay and the Zulu has looked well through the season; no doubt its disease ratings contributing to this.”

“Based on the variety’s performance we are planning on increasing the area for 2015 harvest with some grown commercially as a soft wheat.”

Zulu, bred by Limagrain UK, was added to the RL in 2014, and is classified as a uks soft wheat with a medium rating for distilling. “Limagrain has a history of breeding good soft Group 3’s such as Claire and Invicta due to their reliability and consistency over time.”

“Zulu offers very much the same – but with a step up in yield – and it’s rewarding to see that the variety is delivering what it promises even in challenging disease-robbing seasons such as this,” says Lee Robinson, sales and marketing director with Limagrain.

Zulu has performed well this season as the variety offers a very good agronomic package, combining good straw characteristics with robust disease resistance and WOBM resistance points out Ron Granger, arable technical manager with Limagrain.

“Zulu has a 7 rating for mildew, 9 for yellow rust and good eyespot resistance (7), as well as a (6) for fusarium.”

“Zulu is a slightly taller variety, but it does respond well to PGR’s, with a rating of 8 for this characteristic. It offers SBCMV resistance and although the distribution of this disease is low in the UK, it appears to be on the rise so varietal resistance is essential for growers affected to guarantee good returns.”

In terms of grain quality characteristics it has a soft endosperm so Zulu is suitable for the key marketing outlets as a soft biscuit wheat, and is a registered uks variety.

Farm: G&J Barron, Pattocks Farm, Chappel, Colchester

Crop: Winter Wheat

Variety: Zulu

Area: 16 ha

Yield: 10.56t/ha