KWS raises the bar on the AHDB Recommended List with three new winter wheats and an OSR addition.
KWS has strengthened its position on the AHDB 2026/27 Recommended List (RL) with the addition of three new winter wheat varieties including the new highest-yielding variety on the list, alongside the introduction of a new hybrid oilseed rape.
“KWS varieties are known for delivering the combination of high yields, exceptional resilience and excellent agronomic characteristics that farmers need to maximise productivity and profitability amid increasing economic pressures,” explains Kate Cobbold, KWS UK Head of Product Management and Agroservice.
“The three new KWS wheat varieties added to the 2026/27 RL more than demonstrate this, delivering a broad spectrum of advantages for growers.
"KWS Aintree, for example, delivers high, reliable yields while KWS Fowlmere stands out for its exceptionally early maturity and KWS Grebe offers the rare benefit of Orange Wheat Blossom Midge (OWBM) resistance within a Group 2 variety.
"On the oilseed rape 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 Recommended List. This shows KWS’ commitment to breeding outstanding varieties for the UK market."
The new front-runner in yield
According to Matt Bull, KWS UK Agroservice Manager, KWS Aintree joins the RL as not only the highest-yielding hard Group 4 but the highest-yielding winter wheat overall.
"KWS 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.
“KWS 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.
“At a time when farm economics are under significant pressure, yield remains king and KWS Aintree delivers, performing excellently across different soil types, drilling windows and whether as a first or second wheat.
“Grain quality is solid as it's septoria score. Like most Group 4s now, yellow rust will need monitoring, but that yield potential is worth investing in and its high specific weight supports consistent performance. OWBM resistance is another key benefit."
The earliest maturing wheat on the RL
New hard Group 4 wheat, KWS Fowlmere brings together the combination of high-yield potential with the earliest maturity of any winter wheat on the 2026/27 RL, Matt Bull points out.
"It's another high yielder at over 106% which outyields all of the varieties which were listed on the 2025/26 RL.
"The early maturity at -2 is a unique feature, helping growers at harvest time to help spread harvest workload and risk. It's also going to be another option as an alternative pre-crop to oilseed rape which is seeing a resurgence in growing area.
"KWS Fowlmere also brings high grain quality alongside OWBM resistance and looks set to be an excellent addition to the hard Group 4 market. Untreated yield at 88% of controls is strong for a Group 4 too."
High-yielding Group 2 with OWBM resistance
The new Group 2 milling wheat, KWS Grebe combines high yields with a strong agronomic package, Matt Bull adds.
"KWS Grebe achieves a yield of 103% of controls, just behind the 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 KWS Grebe a very attractive option for those aiming to reduce insecticide use and avoid late-season sprays.
"KWS Grebe is one of only two Group 2 varieties that carry OWBM resistance and it is almost 15% higher yielding than the other option."
The variety's early maturity of -1 helps ease harvest pressures, and its short, stiff straw reduces lodging risk and supports more straightforward crop management, he adds.
“KWS 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 and strong traits
According to Rory Hannam, OSR Product Manager at KWS UK, the hybrid variety KWS Domingos joins the RL with a gross output of 105% and a full UK recommendation.
"The variety combines Turnip Yellows Virus (TuYV) and pod shatter resistance alongside a strong overall disease resistance profile, including a 7 for light leaf spot and an 8 for phoma stem canker," he points out.
“OSR has faced a tough few years, growers need resilient varieties that help de-risk the crop and with KWS Domingos, we’ve focused on stacking traits to help growers get the most from their crops.”
KWS Domingos also stands out for its strong, vigorous growth habit particularly in the spring, he says.
"The strong spring vigour is key in allowing the variety to build biomass rapidly making it more resilient to challenging spring conditions.
"KWS Domingos has also shown high and stable yields across three trialling years demonstrating its ability to cope with a range of growing conditions."
A commitment to long-term innovation
The addition of these new varieties to the RL shows KWS’ continued commitment to breeding specifically for the UK market, says Kate Cobbold.
“It’s another successful year for KWS with these strong, new RL recommendations and the company’s innovation pipeline remains strong with a wide range of varieties progressing toward future RL inclusion across a range of crops.
"Our goal is to bring varieties to market that have the ability to meet the on-farm challenges increasingly faced by UK growers. As such, we continue to invest heavily in UK-focused breeding programmes designed to deliver step changes in yield, resilience and flexibility.”
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