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The results so far only cover the trial sites in the south eastern sector of the country from Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hampshire and Gloucestershire. Looking at results from these sites this year compared to last year the trials in Lincolnshire, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire out performed last year.

Comparing the varieties that were grown in both years at these sites Welbourn (Lincs), Framlingam (Suffolk) and Didbrook (Gloucs) all varieties bar two gave higher yields in 2012. Overall there is a 1.2t/ha increase in yield this year at these sites. One can only assume that the drought conditions of 2011 were more detrimental to yield than the dull wet conditions of 2012 for these trial sites.

Back to the overall 2012 results the current high climbers are KWS Santiago and Viscount, closely followed by Gallant and JB Diego.

But did you waste all that money on fungicides this year considering the high level of fusarium head blight around? Not according to these preliminary results. Comparing treated against untreated there was a staggering 3.7t/ha average increase in yield from fungicides on these plots. That’s a pretty good return on investment. However, if you were growing a rusty variety like Oakley or Torch yields were tripled by fungicides – giving over a 6t/ha response.

Download the trials results here