Growers shouldn’t always opt for OSR varieties on the RL says Agrii seed key account and performance manager Ian Davy. He points out that last season some of its best performing crops came from established names including Vegas and Maverick from NPZ, RGT Kanzzas and LG Adapt.
“Just because a variety is not on the RL doesn’t mean it’s a poor variety, particularly if it worked well on farm in previous years and in the context of the management approach being used.”
“Vegas, for example, remains a high gross output hybrid with an excellent disease profile especially against verticillium stem stripe, and was our third biggest selling variety last year after being introduced three years ago. It’s a variety continuing to perform well in trials and on-farm too, despite it no longer being on the 2026/27 RL.
“RGT Kanzzas is also a good example of a variety that did not make it onto the RL, but it’s our most vigorous variety and proven to be a top performer on sites with high level of CSFB pressure. As well as its rapid growth rate outpacing larval attack, it also has the added advantage of outstanding light leaf spot resistance.”
Ian says LG Adapt is another established variety Agrii is backing for 2026 drilling, offering high gross output, good all-round disease resistance, pod shatter resistance and TuYV resistance, with strong autumn development making it well suited to later drilling.
While proven varieties should form the basis of plans, he adds that growers should remain open minded about new options. “New RL addition KWS Domingos, for example, looks very promising with its strong combination of high gross output, excellent agronomic properties and strong vigour, particularly in the spring to minimise CSFB larval damage.
“It was the highest yielding variety in Agrii’s trials last year and combines high yields with high oil content, plus it’s suitable for all soil types with a recommendation for the whole of the UK.
However, Ian advises growers that, as a general rule not to put more than 20% of their OSR area down to new varieties in any one year, particularly in the current circumstances.
Alongside following Agrii’s 8-point integrated agronomy plan to support establishment, he also advises growers to consider establishment schemes linked to their variety choices.
“Agrii will be offering various establishment schemes for 2026 drilling across varieties such as LG Adapt and Auckland, KWS Domingos, DK Exedge and Exsteel, plus RGT Kanzass and Vegas,” he concludes.
