RGT Hexton shows that it is not just a paper tiger
Soft wheat variety RGT Hexton debuted on the AHDB Recommended List (RL) in 2024 as the highest yielding variety in the North, a claim it maintained in the most recent iteration of the RL. But will this performance in trials translate to real world yield?
Fortunately, Andrew Creasy, arable technical manager for RAGT, says farmers have already reported good yields from the variety, proving it is delivering on Scottish farms as well as in trials.
This year will be the first year of growing Hexton for many, but some seed growers already took the variety through to yield last year. Garth Kerr produces seed for Harleys at Barrelwell Farm near Brechin and grew Hexton for the first time last season.
Garth’s Hexton yielded 4.8 t/ac last year, well above the threshold of 4 t/ac that he aims for on his lighter soils.
“Before Hexton, we grew Skyscraper, and before that, it was Barrell,” he says. “Both of them have done well for us, but last year, Hexton was a cut above. Whether it was just the year or not, we will find out this harvest because we are growing it again.”
Andrew Creasy has high hopes for Hexton on farm this harvest, with growers in Scotland reporting that it looks excellent in the field.
“It suits all situations in Scotland; Hexton seems to love the Scottish climate,” notes Andrew. “It likes early drilling, which is what most Scottish farmers prefer to do. It is also easier than other popular varieties to manage for disease.”
The newer strains of yellow rust, especially those that overcome Yr15 rust resistance gene, have been particularly prevalent along the East Coast, making it tricky to manage susceptible varieties. Fortunately, Hexton has diverse yellow rust resistance without Yr15, which means it is not currently affected as other varieties are, explains Andrew.
“You still need to keep a close eye on Hexton early in the spring, because it can get some yellow rust early, as most varieties did this year. But as the resistance kicks in, we have had good reports from growers and agronomists about managing the disease on the variety.
“Another added benefit is that Hexton has orange wheat blossom midge (OWBM) resistance. It’s not the biggest pest threat in Scotland, but if the conditions are right ahead of flowering, then it can be a big yield robber, and genetic protection is the most reliable and sustainable,” says Andrew.
