Visitors to Cereals 2026 will be able to see and discuss the latest KWS genetics across wheat, barley, oilseed rape and maize, including both established performers and the next generation of varieties coming through the pipeline.

Crop plots on the KWS stand will feature a mix of current commercial favourites alongside exciting newer material, while also giving growers direct access to the breeders behind the varieties as KWS marks 170 years of seed breeding.

Kate Cobbold, head of product management at KWS, says Cereals remains one of the best opportunities for growers to compare genetics side by side and discuss how new varieties could fit future rotations.

“Cereals gives growers a chance to look beyond the current season and start thinking about what varieties could work on their farm over the next few years,” she says.

“Winter wheat will be a key focus on the stand, with our exciting Hard Group 4 KWS Aintree leading the way as a game changer when it comes to feed wheat performance.”

New to the 2026/27 AHDB Recommended List (RL), Kate says Aintree topped official trials as the highest yielding RL variety.

“It has been consistent across the past three trial seasons, with treated yields of 110%, 111% and 110%, bringing the stability growers need when margins are tight.

“For growers looking to maximise output from a feed wheat slot, it combines barn-filling yield potential with a 78.7kg/hl specific weight and orange wheat blossom midge resistance.”

Alongside it, KWS Fowlmere offers a different but highly practical hard Group 4 option.

“As the earliest maturing variety on the current Recommended List, with a -2 maturity rating, it can help spread harvest workload, manage combining logistics and create a more flexible entry ahead of following crops, including oilseed rape,” says Kate.

“Despite its earliness, it delivers a treated yield of 106% of controls, an untreated yield of 88%, a 79.8kg/hl specific weight, 299 Hagberg Falling Number and is well suited to export markets.”

Oilseed rape plots will feature KWS Domingos and KWS Hinsta, both demonstrating the strong direction of KWS hybrid breeding, she adds.

“KWS Domingos brings a full UK-recommended hybrid option with 105% gross output, 46.1% oil content, quick spring vigour and a strong disease profile, while KWS Hinsta combines strong gross output with 46.6% oil content, Turnip Yellows Virus resistance and pod shatter resistance.”

KWS will also showcase its full barley portfolio, including winter barley varieties KWS Tardis, KWS Valencis, KWS Ferris and hybrid 6-row KWS Inys, alongside spring barley KWS Enduris.

Grower interest is also expected around three promising new barley candidates – 6-row hybrid KWS Idrys and 2-row conventional candidates KWS Blis and KWS Lemuris.

“The genetic gain we have made in barley is very exciting. KWS Idrys stands out for its very good specific weight as a 6-row, while KWS Blis and KWS Lemuris combine BYDV tolerance but with no yield or grain quality penalty,” says Kate.

With Cereals taking place in a more westerly location this year, KWS will also be discussing key maize varieties for forage-based systems, including KWS Giso, Katelego, KWS Zimo and KWS Norento.

“As we celebrate 170 years of seed breeding, our focus remains on combining long-term breeding progress with the practical performance growers need in the field,” Kate adds.

“Whether growers are looking at wheat, barley, oilseed rape or maize, Cereals is a chance to compare current options, understand what is coming next and have practical conversations about variety choice for the seasons ahead.”