Seed Technology operates one of the largest independent trialling systems in Ireland.

Variety Trials

With the challenges of each growing season in mind, Seedtech dedicates significant resources to the selection of varieties through our Irish based research programme. This comprehensive approach enables us and our customers to adjust to the challenges facing our industry.

Seedtech is shaping the future of seed by delivering varieties to tillage farmers to secure a sustainable and profitable future in arable farming for the next generation.

Aerial shot of of part of our 80ha trial farm at Faithlegg, Co. Waterford

Seedtech is conducting applied research trials to support our customers and the wider tillage industry in the following areas:

Crop physiology of winter barley, winter wheat and winter rye (seed rates, tillering capacity, head counts and final grain number per unit area) – in conjunction with Waterford Institute of Technology.
Winter malting barley (the role of the nitrogen on yield and malt quality parameters) – in conjunction with the Boortmalt Teagasc Joint Malting Program.
End-user technology platform (targeting varieties suitable for spring milling wheat and spring distilling barley) - Seed dressings in winter and spring barley (endophytes and bio stimulants to improve plant use of nutrients, especially inherent soil fertility) in conjunction with Unium Biosciences.
Seed pathology and seed dressings in spring beans (examining the role of seed dressings on foot rots and flower abortion) – in conjunction with PGRO, UK.
Disease development in early lines of winter wheat and hybrid barley (especially septoria, yellow rust and ramularia) – in conjunction with various breeding partners.
Fungicide disease management in wheat, barley and oats – trials managed by Syngenta Ireland.

Screening of Winter Barley varieties at Seedtech trial site

Aerial shot of some of the 2000 plots at Seedtech Trial site

Seedtech trials are being conducted on our site in Faithlegg, Co. Waterford. The land is fine loamy drift and is part of the Clonroche series.

This work represents a serious and considerable investment for Seedtech and its partners in research.

We undertake nursery trials for early variety selection in wheat and barley as we endeavour to identify new varieties that adapt specifically to the Irish market.

Spring plant counts on Winter Oats in the trial plots

Spring plant counts on Winter Oat in the trial plots

The Seedtech variety trials are conducted in the following crops:

Winter and spring wheat, Winter and spring barley, Winter and spring triticale, Winter and spring oats, WOSR, Winter and Spring beans, spring peas and lupins, Wildflower – production of annual, biennial, and perennial species.
In all we test over 1000 elite varieties in plots that are replicated and statistically analysed.
Each of these 2000 plots must be drilled, grown and harvested to generate the results we use to select the most suitable varieties for the Irish tillage industry.