A sharp rise in mill-driven demand is putting Nelson winter wheat firmly in the spotlight, as growers across the UK expand its acreage in response to its outstanding agronomic performance, versatility and strong market acceptance.

Farmers can grow it under buy-back contracts with seed and grain specialist COPE to supply Heygates millers, which is increasing its volume due to the high protein and favourable bread-making characteristics of the crop. "Nelson grown to 14% protein brings us quality and functionality that will displace imported wheat, and we are committed to using the maximum amount of homegrown wheat wherever possible," says George Mason, senior executive at Heygates millers.

"By offering a buy-back contract that incentivises growers, the combination of an additional quality premium and the benefits of the variety on-farm, we are finding the variety very popular," adds George.

Farmers are praising Nelson for its ability to suppress black grass, maintain a clean disease profile, and deliver consistent milling quality with reduced inputs. Nelson is a German 'E' quality wheat, with high nitrogen use efficiency, and the ability to achieve high protein with a reduced nitrogen programme and fewer fungicide inputs overall, due to its strong disease profile.

Neil Welburn, a Yorkshire-based grower with 80 hectares of Nelson, first adopted the variety to combat black grass after struggling with heavy weed pressure. "We started with Nelson because it's a German E wheat, and great for black grass control," he explains. "It worked. I've never grown a crop like it."

Neil initially drilled at a high seed rate, which led to lodging, but after adjusting the rate, the results were remarkable, even on flood-prone land. "Nelson recovered phenomenally," he says. "It's very clean, doesn't get stressed by inputs, and needs fewer sprays. Even in a high disease pressure season like this one, it's stayed spotless. It meets spec and gives good protein levels with less nitrogen, it's a no-brainer," he says.

Adding to this positive feedback is Colin Chappell, a Lincolnshire grower who's growing nine hectares of Nelson for seed but is likely to grow it under a buy-back contract with COPE, to supply Heygates millers.

"Nelson is clean as a whistle," says Chappell. "The rest of my farm is battling yellow rust and some septoria, but Nelson's held up. It didn't even need a T1 fungicide. We gave it a T2, and we're considering skipping the T3, it looks that clean."

Colin's input costs have remained low. "We're looking at about £20/ha on fungicide inputs, plus 160–180 kg/ha of fertiliser, one growth regulator, and a nutrition programme. That's excellent for a milling variety."

Chappell says standing ability and untreated yield performance are always top priorities. "I should grow more Nelson. If you can get a milling variety with a strong market and low input requirements - why wouldn't you? It's low input, high output."

According to Dominic Amos, research agronomist and natural capital specialist at COPE, trials reflect what the farmers are saying. "Our independent milling wheat trial in Essex shows Nelson to have the best combination of resistance to the major foliar diseases, especially yellow rust, this season.

"Given the high yellow rust pressure and the emergence of a new race that has overcome the YR15 resistance gene, Nelson demonstrates a resistance level comparable to the leading varieties on the Recommended List. One of its key strengths is its growth and development pattern, holding back over winter, followed by strong, vigorous growth in spring. These traits make it particularly well-suited to coping with increasingly common wet winters and spring droughts. The variety's longevity is remarkable and while other varieties are struggling to keep up, Nelson remains steadfast to biotic and abiotic stress.

"Nelson continues to prove itself as a highly versatile and dependable option, it really does work across systems, soils and seasons, especially for growers looking to reduce input costs without compromising on quality," adds Dominic.

Nelson can earn a premium over normal group 1 premiums with its high protein and Hagberg falling number, and farmers can grow it on a buy-back contract with COPE.

To learn more about Nelson winter wheat, visit copeseeds.co.uk/products/nelson-winter-wheat/