The conventional variety Pi Pinnacle has remained at the top of the AHDB Recommended List for winter oilseed rape.
Neil Groom, general manager for Grainseeds, says that Pinnacle achieved a yield of 102% and has now been selected as a control variety for the 2025 trials.
As well as yield, it offers intermediate resistance to verticillium wilt and performs well compared to the control varieties.
“There is still no chemical answer to Verticillium wilt so farmers must rely on using variety resistance,“ Neil says.
Pinnacle was bred by Mike Pickford in the Cotswolds, meaning that it is suited to UK conditions. Parentage varieties were selected based on yield and harvest index, leading to big pods with large seeds.
As such, Pinnacle seed has a thousand grain weight between 6.5 to 7gms.
“I also aim to have yield components on a plant canopy structure that has thick green healthy stems to support the seed yield with excellent photosynthesis during the grain filling process; with a stiff stem and good disease resistance.
“The 2024 performance of Pinnacle in official and private trials and commercially on farm has shown to be consistent, with high yielding potential. In 2024 Pi Pinnacle has been the most consistent low-cost variety that can outperform many popular high-price hybrids,” says Mike.