Scottish farmer John Anderson has won a Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) gold award in the oat category, his crop of Merlin achieving 10.09 t/ha. It comes on the back of a gold in 2023 using the same variety.
“We first grew Merlin in 2022, and since then we’ve converted all our oat acreage to it,” said John. “It consistently delivers the best yields of any spring oat I’ve grown. Even with low nitrogen applications last year, it stood well and produced excellent quality. Its performance makes it a reliable choice across short-season areas like ours, but it’s just as effective in longer-season regions elsewhere in the UK.”
John runs a mixed farm with 400 acres of milling oats alongside 300 acres of spring malting barley. Nutrient inputs for the 2025 crop included 56 kg/ha of phosphorus, 56 kg/ha of potassium, 39 kg/ha of sulphur, and just 60 kg/ha of nitrogen, supplemented by manure. A single herbicide and fungicide application kept the crop healthy, while bushel weights remained strong at 55–60, suitable for gluten-free milling at Hamlyns of Scotland.
Douglas Gordon at Harley Seeds in Scotland added: “We first contracted Merlin for the 2021 harvest, and its popularity has grown every year. Merlin’s strong standing power, yield potential, and adaptability make it ideal for UK spring cropping systems, where growers are seeking reliable oats to meet both milling and feed specifications. The variety has already proven its calibre in national trials: last year, Lincolnshire farmer Mark Popplewell achieved a record-breaking yield of 11.46 t/ha with Merlin at the 2025 YEN awards – more than double the national average.”
For more information on 2025 YEN results please visit: https://adas.co.uk/news/yield-enhancement-networks-for-cereal-and-oilseed-ends-on-a-high-with-a-new-osr-world-record
