Hurdle Wheat Will Become Available in 2027
A new awnless wheat variety developed for Australian growers will hit the market in 2027.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Agriculture
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LongReach Plant Breeders and the CSIRO have unveiled Hurdle, an awnless wheat variety set to be commercially available for growers in 2027. The variety is designed to provide greater flexibility for farmers operating in frost-prone regions.
Why it matters
Hurdle offers Australian farmers an adaptable crop that can be harvested for either grain or hay, aiding in weed management and mitigating risk in volatile climate conditions. It is particularly targeted at the 25 per cent of wheat area currently situated in frost zones.
The new variety demonstrated a 15 per cent yield increase over the previous LongReach awnless release. In 2025, Hurdle achieved an average yield of 4.05 tonnes per hectare, compared to 4.02 tonnes per hectare for the Scepter variety.
The players
LongReach Plant Breeders
This organisation specialises in the development and commercialisation of high-performance cereal varieties for the Australian agricultural sector.
CSIRO
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is the Australian federal government agency responsible for scientific research.
The details
Classified as Australian Premium White, the quick-mid maturing variety is currently being evaluated in a 20 hectare paddock in the Hill River area, with estimated yields reaching up to 6 tonnes per hectare. The ability to harvest the crop as hay allows producers to capture ryegrass seeds, providing a tactical advantage for weed control.
Timeline
In 2025, Hurdle outperformed the Scepter variety in National Variety Trials.
Hurdle wheat will be available commercially for Australian growers in 2027.
Market Landscape
The introduction of Hurdle reflects a strategic move by breeders to capture market share within frost-prone Australian regions. By offering a dual-purpose crop, companies are competing to address the specific production needs of growers facing increasingly variable seasonal conditions.
Growers in frost-prone areas may see improved financial stability due to the increased yield potential and flexible harvesting options provided by the new variety. The ability to harvest for hay also offers a pragmatic method to lower herbicide reliance and manage on-farm weeds effectively.
The takeaway
The development of Hurdle highlights the industry shift toward dual-purpose crops that provide both grain and weed management solutions. Farmers should monitor upcoming performance data to determine how this variety fits into their specific regional crop rotation schedules.
What happens next
Commercial availability for the Hurdle wheat variety is scheduled to begin in 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local crop developments in the Australia Agriculture section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Stock Journal.
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