COPE will officially launch its new winter wheat variety, Chessum, at Cereals Event 2026, with growers invited to find out more at stand 1030.

The new variety is positioned as a practical option for modern arable rotations, combining strong performance with high Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) and grain quality potential. As growers continue to focus closely on margins and input efficiency, varieties capable of delivering output with lower nitrogen requirements are becoming increasingly important.

It combines a strong disease profile, including resistance to yellow rust and septoria, and premium potential with early miller backing, including acceptance by Heygates and growing interest across the trade.

Chessum has already attracted attention from farmers looking to maintain protein and performance while managing input costs more carefully.

Lincolnshire grower Colin Chappell, who is growing Chessum, says the variety fits closely with his approach to crop management.

"Chessum follows the ethos of how I like to grow my crops," he says. "I don't like to feed my crops with a lot of nitrogen and, like Nelson winter wheat, you can put in lower amounts of N and still get a usable crop in terms of protein."

Gemma Clarke from COPE says the launch reflects increasing demand from growers for varieties that deliver both agronomic and economic performance.

"Growers are scrutinising every input much more carefully, particularly nitrogen," she says. "Chessum is a variety that offers strong all-round performance while fitting into a more efficient approach to crop management. That balance is becoming increasingly valuable."

Visitors to Cereals 2026 will be able to discuss Chessum in more detail with the COPE team, including agronomic positioning, management recommendations and seed availability ahead of the 2026 drilling season.

Alongside the launch, COPE will be hosting a special giveaway during Cereals, where visitors to the stand can try their hand at hitting a target with a rugby ball. "Those who hit the target are entered into a prize draw for free seed or a signed England rugby shirt. Everyone who enters gets £20 off their seed order. It's £5 to enter which will go towards COPE's children's sports charity LUTSO," adds Gemma.

With over 85 years' experience, COPE brings pioneering varieties to the market, with a focus on clean, low input and organic varieties suited to modern rotations - including Merlin spring oats, Nelson winter wheat, Everlong spring wheat, Evelina spring barley and more.

Chessum is a COPE exclusive variety introduced to the UK, sourced from renowned French breeder, Lamaire Deffontaines.