Alberta, Canada
September 9, 2019
Source: Alberta Wheat Commission
Below is a list of some of the most recently available (2019 & 2020) varieties of spring wheat, barley and durum for Alberta producers. Descriptions are sourced from the seed providers.
Spring Wheat
AAC Redberry (CWRS– Alliance Seed) – available 2019
AAC Redberry was bred at the AAFC breeding station in Swift Current. EARLY. EARLY. AAC Redberry is the earliest available HRSW. The super early maturity doesn’t compromise yield, as Redberry is in the top for yield. AAC Redberry is a semi dwarf variety and stands well. It has a brilliant looking red seed colour – very fitting name for this variety. The grain protein and milling quality is equal to top industry varieties. The very early maturity has been a welcomed attribute to producers over the past two years, especially when having to deal with challenging fall weather.
CDC Ortona (CWRS – Nutrien) – available 2020
New CDC Ortona shows strong yield and lodging scores in the registration data. Following in the success of CDC Stanley, a proven performer, CDC Ortona is a brand new awnless CWRS variety available from Proven Seed. CDC Ortona yields high, stands up strong, and has excellent protein potential for producers looking for an overall performer. It shows an increased disease resistance package with an R rating to leaf rust, stem rust, stripe rust and loose smut. Maturity ratings show a slightly early maturity, rating around two to three days earlier than CDC Stanley and AC Stettler. CDC Ortona will be available in limited quantities for spring 2019 and expecting a full launch spring 2020.
AAC Entice (CPSR – Nutrien) – available 2019
AAC Entice is a high yielding CPSR with protein levels approaching the CWRS class. It is resistant to stem, leaf and stripe rust. AAC Entice brings high yield and a strong disease package to high moisture regions in the Prairies.
CS Accelerate (CPSR - Canterra Seeds) – available 2020-21
A brand-new semi-dwarf high yielding CPS wheat with excellent milling quality and disease resistance package. Developed at Limagrain Cereals Research Canada in Saskatoon, this variety has shown great yield consistency across the Prairies for the past few years. During the evaluation period it out yielded all the check varieties, including AAC Penhold. Its short stature and strong straw will make it a good option for any cropping system, wet or dry. In addition, its excellent disease resistance and improved FHB resistance allows it to be adapted in areas that are not traditionally suitable for CPS wheat. Due to its superior quality attributes, it has the potential to become the first CPS wheat in the Warburton’s program. Very limited release in 2020 (full release in 2021)
AAC Crossfield (CPSR - Canterra Seeds) – available 2019
A high yielding semi-dwarf wheat variety developed by AAFC in partnership with Alberta Wheat Commission and Canterra Seeds, as part of their public, private, producer partnership (4P). Since its launch, this variety proved as an excellent option for both dry and irrigated areas as well as intense management practices. This is most definitely due to its strong straw and excellent standability. Crossfield is showing at least 5-6% higher yield than AAC Penhold with the potential for that to increase under good growing conditions. Like all the newer CPSR wheats, Crossfield has a significant protein improvement over established varieties like 5700PR and has a very good disease resistance package with an (R) resistance to all rusts and an I rating to FHB.
CS Jake (CWRS - Canterra Seeds) – available 2020-21
This is a new early maturing wheat developed at the University of Alberta for the Parkland zone. In addition to its very early maturity (-3.5 earlier than Carberry) it brings a very good rust resistance package, notably R to stripe and stem rust. Data from the evaluation trials have shown a significant improvement in protein content, higher than the check varieties (Glenn) while maintaining a consistently good yield performance. It has improved standability than checks and shows very good lodging tolerance for a non-semi dwarf wheat. It may present a unique combination of very early maturity and very high protein content not previously seen. Limited release in 2020 and full release in 2021.
CS Tracker (CWRS - Canterra Seeds) – available 2020-21
Another new early maturing wheat developed for the short growing season of the Parkland region. Coming from the University of Alberta, this variety has an excellent disease resistance package and quality attributes. Tracker was rated resistant (R) to the prevalent races of leaf, stem and stripe rust, whereas S, R and MR to common bunt during the three years of testing. The reaction of Tracker to fusarium head blight was MS and I in one environment each, and MR in 5 environments and showed R reaction to loose smut but susceptible to Intermediate reaction to leaf spot. It presented good consistent yields during the three years in the evaluation trials. Maturity is rated as -2.5 days earlier than Carberry. Limited release in 2020 (full release in 2021)
AAC Alida VB (CWRS – SeCan) – available 2020
AAC Alida is the first semi-dwarf CWRS from SeCan with a great disease package. With a yield of 106% of the check, Carberry, it has a similar maturity to Carberry and is two days later than Unity. Additional agronomic traits include an above average seed size, very good sprouting resistance, and consistently low DON accumulation. Alida is moderately resistant to FHB, resistant to leaf and stem rust, and moderately resistant to stripe rust. It is also midge tolerant. Note that it is 6cm taller than Carberry and 0.3% lower protein than Carberry.
Parata (CWRS – SeCan 2020) – available 2020
A traditional height CWRS variety with fair lodging resistance, high test weight and good rust resistance. It has excellent milling and baking qualities and is well suited to all growing regions of western Canada. This early maturing variety has shown high protein potential along with increased falling number and grain yield that is 103% of checks in the Parkland Coop Registration trials. Parata also has Intermediate resistance to FHB.
AAC Goodwin (CPSR– SeCan) – available 2019
AAC Goodwin provides great yield potential with 112% yield compared to AC Carberry. It is a short strawed CPS variety with a good disease package. It is resistant to leaf and stripe rust, intermediate to FHB, stem rust, bunt, and leaf spot. Based on regional variety trials, it has the highest CPS protein.
AAC Paramount VB (Soft White Spring – SeCan) – available 2019
At 6% higher yield than AC Andrew and 3% higher yield than AC Sadash, AAC Paramount is a high yielding soft white wheat with an excellent agronomic package. Good resistance to stripe rust, loose smut, and powdery milder combined with excellent lodging resistance and improved falling number make this orange wheat blossom midge tolerant variety desirable. Maturity is similar to AC Andrew. It also contains intermediate resistance to leaf rust, stem rust, black point and leaf spot. Note that it is susceptible to common bunt and FHB.
AAC Awesome (Special purpose wheat – SeCan) – available 2019
With a name that fits its agronomics well, this SPW from Dr. Harpinder Randhawa in Lethbridge has outstanding yield at 14% higher than AC Andrew and 12% higher than AC Sadash. Good straw strength and excellent disease package, AAC Awesome VB has the SM1 gene for orange wheat blossom midge tolerance. Large kernel size and excellent test weight combine with good resistance to stripe, stem and leaf rust for the full agronomic package. Maturity is similar to AC Andrew and it has intermediate resistance to FHB.
CDC Landmark VB (CWRS – FP Genetics) – available 2019
CDC Landmark VB is shorter-strawed, awned, and partially solid-stemmed with higher yield potential. It is the first midge tolerant wheat that is ultra high yielding, semi-dwarf, and protects against FHB with intermediate resistance. CDC Landmark yields 112% of check with short straw, low lodging scores, midge resistance (sm1 carrier) and is stripe rust-resistant. CDC Landmark VB has partially solid stems.
AAC Viewfield (CWRS – FP Genetics 2019)
AAC Viewfield is the shortest CWRS, about 4 cm shorter on average than the check Carberry. It stands straight, making production and harvest a breeze with very good lodging resistance compared to the check as well. It’s very high yielding; up to 110% of the check according to the 2019 Alberta Seed Guide with good resistance to fusarium head blight (FHB) and sprouting. High grain yield with short strong straw suited to intensive agronomic practices. High test weight. Fusarium head blight scores similar to Carberry. Resistance to strip rust and stem rust. Moderately resistant to leaf rust and common bunt. Low flour ash content. Strong and extensible gluten.
CDC Adamant VB (CWRS – FP Genetics 2019)
CDC Adamant VB provides resistance to both wheat stem sawfly and orange blossom wheat midge. It’s a significant step up in yield from its predecessor Lillian, with the same early maturity. CDC Adamant VB yields 114% of CNHR Lillian, is an early maturing midge tolerant CWRS wheat with a semi-solid stem providing tolerance to wheat stem sawfly. It has high test weights and high protein.
AAC Magnet (CWRS – FP Genetics 2019)
AAC Magnet is an early maturing and high yielding CWRS wheats. The variety shows stability in yield making it suitable for wider areas of adaptation and intensive agronomic practices. Higher kernel weight and lowest DON compared to all checks. It has a strong disease package with resistant to moderately resistant scores for Fusarium head blight, resistance to leaf/stem rust, intermediate resistance to stripe rust and resistance to loose smut.
Durum
AAC Credence (Durum wheat - Canterra Seeds) – available 2019
Is a taller variety than Strongfield but is shorter than Transcend and Brigade and like these 2 it has lower Don accumulation and slightly better FHB tolerance than most varieties in this class. It is 1 day earlier than Brigade and Transcend and is very similar in yield to Brigade and higher than Transcend. Its disease package is very strong for rusts with a R/MR for stem, stripe and leaf rusts. Credence has shown some resiliency under very dry conditions and is a very strong replacement option for those who loved Transcend or Brigade.
CDC Dynamic – (Durum wheat – Nutrien) – available 2019
CDC Dynamic is adapted to all durum growing regions in Western Canada. The most recent addition to Proven Seed’s durum lineup, CDC Dynamic provides a class leading combination of yield and protein with a strong rust and bunt disease resistance package. CDC Dynamic also expresses more yellow pigment content than all of the check cultivars, which is reflected in superior pasta colour. High test weight and strong straw, along with a more prominent colour makes CDC Dynamic the new CWAD variety to beat!
AAC Stronghold (Durum wheat – SeCan) – available 2019
AAC Stronghold is a solid stem variety with excellent yield potential and short strong straw. It also has excellent tolerance to wheat stem sawfly. It has a good overall disease package resistant to leaf and stem rust. Although its 2 days later and -0.4% grain protein than AC Strongfield, it is 2cm shorter and has 5% higher yield than AC Strongfield. Considered a good rating on sprout tolerance, AAC Stronghold may be a variety worth trying.
Barley
AAC Connect (2-Row malting - Canterra Seeds)
This is a very promising 2-row malting barley that offers best FHB resistance in its class (MR) and superior yield and standability compared to current barley malting varieties (111% of Metcalfe). Connect gets some of its yield advantage from an excellent disease package displaying moderate resistance to spot blotch, spotted net blotch, stem rust and Fusarium head blight. Head breakage is not a concern in this variety. Due to its very similar malting and brewing profile to AC Metcalfe, this variety is considered the best replacement choice. It has the highest enzymatic activity amongst the new varieties approved and listed on the CMBTC recommended list. This makes it most suitable for the adjunct brewing sector. However, it could be used in any malting or brewing outfit, from craft to adjunct, due to its excellent features such as low wort viscosity and low beta glucan content. Most notably from its very good disease resistance is FHB and the low DON content (35% lower than AC Metcalfe), making it the lowest from the CMBTC recommended varieties. It has been accepted by most maltsters and contracts/will be available from some of them.
AB Cattelac (6-Row Forage - Alliance Seed) – available 2020
AB Cattelac is a huge advancement in the green feed and silage barley varieties. AB Cattelac was bred from Joseph Nyachiro Program in Alberta Ag at Lacombe. AB Cattelac is a semi smooth awned variety, so producers do not have to worry about mouth ulcers etc. AB Cattelac has 5% Higher forage yield than AC Ranger and 8% higher than Vivar. The bushel weight of the seed is quite a bit higher that previous 6 row varieties, and actually the grain yield of Cattelac is only 2% lower than CDC Austenson. This high yield along with great forage attributes make AB Cattelac the ‘Cattelac of barley varieties’, and is the leader of dual-purpose Barley varieties.
CDC Fraser (2-Row malting – SeCan) – available 2019
CDC Fraser is a high yielding strong strawed 2-row malting barley with large plump kernels and low grain protein. CDC Fraser is widely adapted to the Canadian Prairies. At 114% higher yield than AC Metcalf, a grain protein 8-10% lower than AC Metcalf, and a kernel weight greater than the malt checks, CDC Fraser has a high potential for success. Note that this moderately susceptible to FHB and is 1 day later than CDC Metcalf.
Lowe (2-Row malting – SeCan) available 2019
Lowe is a high yielding strong strawed two-row barley that is moderately resistant to FHB. It has consistently low DON accumulation with large plump kernels and lower grain protein. At 112% higher yield that AC Metcalf, improved lodging tolerance, resistance to loose and surface smut, this variety has great potential.
CDC Copper (2-Row Malting – FP Genetics 2020)
CDC Copper is a two-row, hulled malt barley with good adaptability across Western Canada. It combines good agronomic characteristics such as shorter height with resistance to stem rust and net blotch and other disease resistance similar to the checks.
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