Three winter wheats including the new highest-yielding variety, plus a hybrid oilseed rape, have joined the Recommended List from KWS.

“KWS varieties are known for delivering high yields, exceptional resilience, and excellent agronomic characteristics that farmers require to maximise productivity and profitability,” says the firm’s Kate Cobbold.

“The three new KWS wheat varieties added to the 2026/27 RL more than demonstrate this, delivering a broad spectrum of advantages for growers.”

She says KWS Aintree, for example, delivers high, reliable yields, while KWS Fowlmere stands out for its exceptionally early maturity. Then, KWS Grebe offers the rare benefit of Orange Wheat Blossom Midge (OWBM) resistance within a Group 2 variety. 

“On the OSR front, our newly recommended hybrid KWS Domingos offers growers consistent, high-performance across the UK.

“In conjunction with our existing portfolio, KWS now tops Groups 1, 2, 3 and Hard 4 in terms of UK treated yield on the new RL.”

The new front-runner in yield

According to KWS’ Matt Bull, Aintree joins the RL as not only the highest-yielding hard Group 4, but the highest-yielding winter wheat overall. “Aintree has a track record of delivering 110 or 111% of controls across three contrasting trial seasons, which not only demonstrates its exceptional potential, but also the highly valued variety characteristic of excellent stability,” he points out.

“Aintree’s yield advantage has been proven across a wide range of seasons and growing conditions. That reliability makes it a strong choice for farmers navigating increasingly variable weather patterns.”

Grain quality is solid, as it’s septoria score, adds Matt. “Like most Group 4s, yellow rust will have to be monitored, but that yield potential is worth investing in; its high specific weight supports consistent performance.”

The earliest maturing wheat on the RL

New hard Group 4 wheat Fowlmere brings the combination of high-yield potential with the earliest maturity of any winter wheat on the 2026/27 RL.

“It’s another high yielder at over 106%, which outyields all of the varieties which were listed on the previous RL,” points out Matt.

“The early maturity at -2 is a unique feature, helping growers to spread harvest workload and risk. It’s also another option as an alternative pre-crop to OSR which is seeing a resurgence in growing area.”

High-yielding Group 2 with OWBM resistance

New Group 2 milling wheat, Grebe, combines high yields with a strong agronomic package.

Achieving a yield of 103% of controls, it’s just behind current Group 2 leader KWS Arnie, but with the added security of OWBM resistance which is of increased importance for those trying to achieve a quality premium.

“OWBM resistance is a key tool within integrated pest management strategies, offering protection in high midge years, which makes Grebe a very attractive option for those aiming to reduce insecticide use and avoid late-season sprays,” says Matt.

“Grebe is one of only two Group 2 varieties that carry OWBM resistance and is almost 15% higher yielding than the other option.”

He adds that the variety’s early maturity of -1 helps ease harvest pressures, while its short, stiff straw reduces lodging risk and supports more straightforward crop management.

“Grebe has good rotational flexibility too, performing well as both a first and second wheat. Overall, it looks a strong variety and has a unique profile with its OWBM resistance which should generate interest on farm.”

Hybrid OSR with consistent performance

Hybrid variety KWS Domingos joins the RL with a gross output of 105% and a full UK recommendation.

According to KWS’ Rory Hannam, the variety combines Turnip Yellows Virus (TuYV) and pod shatter resistance alongside a strong overall disease resistance profile. “This includes a 7 for light leaf spot and an 8 for phoma stem canker.

“OSR has faced a tough few years, growers require resilient varieties that help de-risk the crop and with Domingos, we’ve focused on stacking traits to help growers get the most from their crops.”

Domingos also stands out for its strong, vigorous growth habit particularly in the spring, he adds.

“Strong spring vigour is key in allowing the variety to build biomass rapidly, making it more resilient to challenging spring conditions. Domingos has also shown high and stable yields across three trialling years, demonstrating its ability to cope with a range of growing conditions,” concludes Rory.