New winter wheat Zebedee has come up trumps this season for both growers and millers as good harvest results for growers are matched at mills.
"Initial analysis shows Zebedee has more than come up to spec for us this season," says Rank Hovis Head of Wheat Procurement, Gary Sharkey. "The variety is looking good and is a valuable addition to the Group 3 category."
As a new Group 3 variety with yields comfortably above existing varieties such as Consort, Rank Hovis are looking at Zebedee to complement their soft wheat requirements.
"There is a worrying gap in the new variety stream for group 3's as current varieties become outclassed. Zebedee is the only new variety available to us in the foreseeable future, so it is important for millers and growers alike," adds Mr Sharkey.
"The average specific weight we have from sample data, so far this season, is 74.7 kgs/hl."
