Elsoms Seeds is celebrating another strong year with the release of the AHDB Recommended List for 2026, reaffirming the company’s growing influence in UK crop genetics. The achievement follows extensive work by Elsoms’ breeding teams, trial partners, and merchant networks, all focused on delivering new and improved varieties for British growers.
The headline performer for 2026 is Sparkler, now recognised as the UK’s highest-yielding soft wheat. With a yield rating of 106% on the AHDB list, Sparkler combines exceptional output with robust Septoria and Yellow Rust resistance. Bred from a Graham × LG Skyscraper cross, the variety offers high tillering capacity, strong straw characteristics, and reliable performance across all UK regions. Its suitability for feed, distilling, and soft export markets positions Sparkler as one of the most versatile new wheats available.
Another highlight is Bamford, which has now secured its position as the UK’s number one wheat variety. After a successful first commercial year, Bamford continues to demonstrate outstanding consistency in yield and disease resistance, helping it maintain a dominant market share. Its strong performance has reinforced grower confidence and driven demand across the country.
Spring oats also take centre stage with the addition of Jacky and Neptun to the Recommended List. Jacky stands out for exceptional yields in the North of England and Scotland, offering high-quality grain with strong agronomic traits. Neptun brings industry-leading grain quality to the market, with the best Specific Weight and Kernel Content among husked oat varieties—features that make it especially attractive to millers and merchants.
In spring barley, the newly recommended variety Shona is already showing considerable promise. It demonstrates the highest-yielding potential among dual-use types in the East and performs strongly across the wider UK. Early malting assessments have produced encouraging results, with more detailed macromalting analysis currently underway.
Elsoms has also introduced SU Erling to the Rye Descriptive List, a dual-purpose variety delivering improved freshweight, dry matter, and grain yields, supported by stiff straw and excellent grain quality. In spring linseed, the variety Balance now joins the Descriptive List with an impressive UK yield rating of 108%, combined with high oil content and elevated ALA levels. Looking ahead, Elsoms continues to advance a strong pipeline of candidate varieties. These include Inferno winter barley, several winter wheat candidates such as Sunspire, Lucifer, Dreadnought, and Bluebird, and two new oilseed rape prospects, Ocean and Nightingale, both demonstrating strong yield and oil potential. Together, these additions underscore Elsoms’ continued commitment to advancing crop performance for UK growers.
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