Independent trials highlight strong milling quality with fewer inputs

Nelson winter wheat is gaining rapid traction with UK growers, thanks to its unique combination of premium returns, low input performance, and guaranteed end market, and it has performed well for harvest ’25, showing its consistency year on year.

Heygates millers is offering the only contract in the UK that pays £15/t for 14% protein; however, demand at this higher return is limited. In addition, a contract is available for 13% protein. “We introduced this contract for growers for producing consistently high-quality grain,” says George Mason at Heygates. “Nelson is proving it can reliably meet these protein levels, giving farmers confidence that their efforts will be recognised with a premium and a guaranteed market.”

Nelson, a German ‘E’ quality wheat, is praised for its ability to suppress blackgrass, maintain a clean disease profile in a year of high yellow-rust pressure, and deliver consistent milling quality with fewer inputs. With high nitrogen use efficiency, it can achieve high protein levels with reduced fertiliser and fungicide programmes.

Private independent plot trials show that Nelson led the charge for protein content and specific weight with no fungicides and 140kg N/ha, matching the best performers such as SY Cheer (specific weight) and Crusoe (protein), while delivering yields comparable to Extase. Dominic Amos, research agronomist at regenerative seed and grain specialist, COPE, reports. “In our Essex milling wheat trial run by Agrii, as well as strong quality and yield results, Nelson showed the best combination of foliar disease resistance, especially to yellow rust, despite high disease pressure this season. It performed well against the new yellow rust race that has overcome YR15 resistance,” he says. “With a yield of 7.7t/ha and a protein of 13.3% from just 140kg/ha of nitrogen and no fungicides or PGR, that’s a huge cost saving with a good output. The input costs were just £200 for fertiliser and plant protection products to reach full group 1 milling spec,” he says.

“The standard small plot trials were drilled in November 2024 and harvested in August 2025, and the resulting combination of grain quality, disease resistance and solid output underlines it as an excellent regenerative option for premium milling contracts,” says Dominic. “It was brought to the UK by Cope Seeds in 2012 as an option for organic growers but is still more than holding its own against all the latest RL Group 1 varieties, especially under lower inputs. For farmers looking to keep input costs down, mitigate climate extremes and produce high-quality bread-making wheat, Nelson really is the best option available,” adds Dominic.

On-farm, growers are seeing the benefits.

Paul Barnes, estate manager at South Ormsby Estate in Lincolnshire, oversees 485 hectares of organic cereals, pulses, vining peas, temporary clover leys, and SFI and CS stewardship. Following the purchase of Walmsgate Estate in 2025, he also runs 647 hectares of conventional crops, including wheat, barley, spring oats, winter beans, and vining peas.

He is adopting a regenerative approach, trialling more sustainable cropping with the aim of eventually converting the entire operation to organic.

This year, he grew 20 hectares of Nelson winter wheat organically for seed production, which produced a clean sample with bold grain. It performed well under dry conditions, yielding 5.6 tonnes per hectare. “The harvest results were pleasing, so pleasing that as well as supplying the seed market, we plan to trial it in our own new venture, South Ormsby Wholemeal Flour, due to launch within 4–6 weeks of harvest,” he says.

Paul intends to continue growing the crop both organically for seed and flour, and conventionally to supply Heygates Millers, with 240 hectares planned for 2026 harvest. Sown after legumes to boost soil nitrogen naturally, the variety’s ability to achieve high protein with modest fertiliser inputs is a key advantage.

“It’s an out and out milling wheat and to us it’s a dual-purpose versatile crop – we know it performs well organically, and this is part of the decision to grow more conventionally, as part of a regenerative approach,” adds Paul.

Fellow Lincolnshire grower Colin Chappell has seen similar results. Using just 160 kg N/ha, minimal fungicide, one PGR, and two herbicides, his crop achieved Hagberg values over 300, protein of 14–15%, and a bushel weight of 83 kg/hl - meeting milling spec.

For Colin, the appeal lies in low input needs, market certainty, and flexibility.
“I’m moving away from commodities towards crops for specific markets. Even planted late on lower-grade land, it hit spec. “It’s low input, low hassle and has a guaranteed market – a grower-friendly option with strong demand.”

COPE is offering buy-back contracts to grow Nelson. Learn more at copeseeds.co.uk/products/nelson-winter-wheat/.