Impact, the first purpose bred feed wheat in New Zealand, is to remain under exclusive contract to Tegel Foods for another year.

Crop & Food Research bred Impact working in close co-operation with Tegel. This season the institute also released a second high performing feed wheat cultivar, Centaur, on to the open market.

Crop & Food Research arable manager, Sam White, says Impact has performed very well from the North Island to Southland and in this season's ACE trials in Canterbury.

Tegel Foods manager grains/international commodities, Kerry Dowie, says consistency is most important to his company, both in terms of its chicken production and the feed grains to grow them.

Impact had consistently yielded well and to good protein levels over the last three seasons. "In terms of the quality coming into the feed mill, and in going through the animals, its been very successful for us."

The cultivar is also versatile as it can be planted throughout the season.

Mr Dowie says Tegel used over 95% New Zealand-grown feed wheat this season. Tegel are keen to use New Zealand product where possible and to do this needed cultivars that gave growers the right returns.

"Why go off-shore if New Zealand can be self-sufficient in feed grains," Mr Dowie says.

Company news release
N1790