The longer strawed and more vigorous growing varieties such as Clipper, Arthur and new variety Husky have performed best in this difficult year.   Shorter strawed varieties have struggled. 

Wizard dominates the market and has yielded well. Having a pale hilum and seed coat, it has found favour in the Egyptian export market. 

Husky and Sultan have similar seed traits.   Sultan will be considered for full recommendation for the 2011 RL.  It has smaller seed than Wizard and may not be so suited to the same markets as Wizard.  Straw is shorter than Wizard and yields have suffered in the recent dry summers. 

Provisionally recommended for 2010, Husky has yielded well again this year. It is a tall vigorous variety, but straw is weaker than Wizard or Clipper. 

Clipper and Arthur have also performed well, but having a dark hilum precludes them from the premium human consumption markets.

Spring Beans

Spring beans have suffered more than winter beans in the very dry spring and summer months experienced in most areas - and the shorter and less vigorous growing varieties have suffered the most. 

Tattoo, a white flowered, low tannin variety will be considered for full recommendation in 2011.  While yields are lower than coloured flowered types, it offers advantages to growers who use and feed on-farm. 

New to the RL in 2010, Pyramid and Fury have performed well, both out-yielding Fuego, the market leader, which as usual is a consistent performer. 

New to the trials and looking to gain a provisional recommendation is Babylon.  It is a pale hilum type and has given a respectable 2010 performance.