Strengths:

• Excellent Yield Record
• Excellent Straw Strength
• Very Good Drought Tolerance

Comments:

This new variety from WestBred had good to excellent yields in the 2013 and 2014 KSU and OSU tests, especially in central Kansas and Oklahoma. WB4458 should be used on better dryland acres, not on very tough dryland fields. WB4458 handles drought well, but not as tolerant as Winterhawk. It's leaf disease package is not very strong, but not extremely weak, either. It's very good staygreen capability keeps leaves greener than most under stress.

Phillips Seed's Management Tips:

• WB4458 is a large seeded, low tillering variety, so raising the seeding rate may be warranted.
• In a heavy disease pressure year, WB4458's yield should respond to a fungicide application.
• Not a prolific tillering variety, so probably should not be planted too late.
• Excellent yields in 2014 - average of 102.5% of plot averages across 17 KSU Yield Tests.
• Especially good year in Central Kansas with 3 plot averages over 115%; 4 over 110%.