Canterbury Seed Company consolidates partnership with KWS

Canterbury Seed and cereal breeder KWS UK continue to cement their long standing partnership as the number of New Zealand growers recognising the distinct benefits of the KWS cereal varieties increases.

The relationship now extends to new cereal varieties being evaluated in New Zealand under local conditions at the same time as the varieties being entered into the UK official trials. This is crucial given not all UK varieties will perform in New Zealand and allows for evaluation before moving forward into the local trial system.

During the 2014 - 2015 seasons, Canterbury Seed evaluated five new wheat varieties and seven new barleys - two wheat and one barley variety progressed to New Zealand trials.

The standout of the KWS UK programme has been autumn sown KWS Cassia winter barley. "It is important for growers to understand that Cassia is true winter barley and not spring barley that can be sown in the winter or autumn," said Phil Smith, Cereal Seed Product Manager with Canterbury Seed. "Growers experienced outstanding results in 2014 - 2015 - many yielding 12 metric tonne per hectare with test weights well in the 60’s and screenings below two per cent. We use a term in our business that yield can overcome price," says Smith. "While it has a wide sowing window through until July, it is evident that seed stock won’t last that long and expectations are that this product will be sold out sold by early June," he said.

There has been a perception that only New Zealand bred varieties can perform locally. Arable growers have seen the trial results on the KWS Feed Wheat. KWS Gator has been the most popular due to consistent yields, excellent resistance package and flexible planting dates. Gator can be sown through until the end of June providing a wide sowing window and Conqueror can be sown through until the end of July. KWS UK are also the breeders of Oakley and Raffles which still perform well after many years in New Zealand.

"The KWS relationship allows us very early access to the latest genetics for evaluation in New Zealand," said Canterbury Seed Managing Director, Craig Carr. "We value KWS’s agronomic support - they guide us on how to get the best from each variety which we can then pass onto our clients," he said.

"We have worked in partnership with Canterbury Seed for many years now and value the opportunity to introduce our genetics to a wider audience," said Andrew Newby, KWS UK Managing Director. "The team at Canterbury Seed are very professional and understand the requirements of the New Zealand market and how to get the best from our variety types."