NEW CROP VARIETIES FOR 2025

Prior to reading about the varieties listed in this article, it is important to note that genetics is seldom the main driver of crop performance. While every variety has a specific season where they perform very well, across several different seasons, the average performance of most widely grown varieties is similar. Therefore, there should be a well-rounded reason to change varieties, not simply because of a poor performance in a single year, under a specific set of environmental conditions.

 Current trial data suggests that there are no new stand-out varieties. The following includes a selection of crop varieties released recently, which are worthy of consideration:

Wheat
Brighton:

  • Marketed by AGT.

  • Classification = APH.

  • EPR = $4.10/tonne

  • Stripe Rust resistance rating = MRMS (like Illabo).

  • Brighton is a dual-purpose winter wheat with a slightly faster maturity than Illabo.

  • Brighton performed well in the 2023 National Variety Trials in South-Eastern NSW relative to Illabo.

Ironbark:

  • Marketed by AGT.

  • Classification = AH.

  • EPR = $3.90/tonne

  • Stripe Rust resistance rating = MR (like LRPB Lancer).

  • Ironbark is a mid-season maturing variety, similar to Beckom with improved Stripe Rust resistance.

  • Ironbark was comparable to Beckom in the 2023 National Variety Trials in Southern NSW.

LRPB Major:

  • Marketed by LongReach Plant Breeders.

  • Classification = AH.

  • EPR = $4.00/tonne

  • Stripe Rust resistance rating = MRMS (like Beckom).

  • LongReach Major is a mid-season maturing variety, similar to Beckom with slightly improved resistance to Septoria.

  • LongReach Major has been comparable to slightly below Beckom in recent National Variety Trials in Southern NSW.

LRPB Matador:

  • Marketed by LongReach Plant Breeders.

  • Classification = AH.

  • EPR = $3.50/tonne

  • Stripe Rust resistance rating = MS (like Scepter).

  • LRPB Matador is a mid-season maturing variety, similar to Scepter.

  • LRPB Matador has been comparable to Scepter in recent National Variety Trials in Southern NSW.

RGT Ponsford:

  • Marketed by RAGT.

  • Classification = AH (pending).

  • EPR = $4.00/tonne

  • Stripe Rust resistance rating = MRMS (like Beckom).

  • RGT Ponsford is a mid-season maturing variety, similar to Scepter with an improved disease package.

  • RGT Ponsford was comparable to Scepter in the 2023 National Variety Trials in Southern NSW.

Shotgun:

  • Marketed by AGT.

  • Classification = AH.

  • EPR = $3.90/tonne

  • Stripe Rust resistance rating = MS (like Scepter).

  • Shotgun is a mid-season maturing variety, similar to Scepter.

  • Shotgun performed well in the 2023 National Variety Trials in Southern NSW relative to Scepter.

Tomahawk CL:

  • Marketed by AGT.

  • Classification = APW.

  • EPR = $4.15/tonne

  • Stripe Rust resistance rating = MSS (like Scepter).

  • Tomahawk CL wheat mid-season maturing variety, similar to Scepter with Clearfield herbicide tolerance.

  • Tomahawk CL has performed well relative to Scepter in recent National Variety Trials in Southern NSW.

Barley
Neo CL:

  • Marketed by InterGrain.

  • Classification = Feed (could have malt accreditation for harvest 2025).

  • EPR = $4.25/tonne

  • Neo barley is a mid-season maturing variety, similar to RGT Planet, with an improved disease package and Clearfield herbicide tolerance.

  • Neo CL performed well in the 2023 National Variety Trials in Southern NSW relative to RGT Planet.

Newton:

  • Marketed by Seednet.

  • Classification = Feed.

  • EPR = $3.50/tonne

  • Newton barley is a dual-purpose winter barley, similar to Urambie, with a slightly improved disease package, very prostrate and competitive. Requires grazing.

RGT Atlantis:

  • Marketed by RAGT.

  • Classification = Feed.

  • EPR = $4.00/tonne

  • Disease resistance ratings are similar to RGT Planet.

  • RGT Atlantis barley is a mid-season maturing variety, similar to RGT Planet with improved water-logging tolerance.

  • RGT Atlantis was comparable to RGT Planet at the Quandialla NVT site in 2023 (only site that included RGT Atlantis in Southern NSW).

Canola
Hyola Defender (CL)

  • Hybrid Clearfield

  • Marketed by Pacific Seeds

  • No EPR

  • Mid-early maturity.

  • Blackleg Resistance (Bare Seed), R

  • Blackleg Resistance Group: ADF

  • Medium - very high rainfall zones.

Captain (CL)

  • Hybrid Clearfield Grazing

  • Marketed by AGF Seeds

  • EPR = $5.00/tonne

  • Mid-late maturity.

  • Blackleg Resistance (Bare Seed), R

  • Blackleg Resistance Group: AH

  • Medium to very high rainfall zones. Grazing canola, slightly faster maturity than Hyola 970.

Invigor LR 5040P

  • Hybrid Liberty Link + TruFlex

  • Marketed by Pioneer

  • Seed cost = $58/kg

  • Mid maturity

  • Blackleg Resistance, TBC

  • Blackleg Resistance Group: AB

  • PodGuard trait.

Pioneer PY428R (RR)

  • Hybrid Optimum Gly + Clearfield Tolerant

  • Marketed by Pioneer

  • No EPR

  • Early-mid maturity

  • Blackleg Resistance, TBC

  • Blackleg Resistance Group: TBC

  • Very high oil potential.

Pioneer PY429T (TT)

  • Hybrid Triazine Tolerant

  • Released for 2025

  • Marketed by Pioneer

  • No EPR

  • Early-mid maturity

  • Blackleg Resistance, TBC

  • Blackleg Resistance Group: TBC

  • Medium-high rainfall zones. Early vigour for crop competition. 

General, Farm Management, Cropping, MachineryFred Broughton