Noble Foundation small grain varieties to be commercialized

Four of the Noble Foundation’s small grains varieties will be commercialized by Oklahoma Genetics Inc.: Wheat NF101, Triticale NF201, Maton II Rye (NF306) and Oat NF402.
The Noble Foundation’s small grains breeding program focuses on creating dual-purpose varieties with improved forage qualities – better fall production, the ability to recover after grazing, and better overall forage yields to benefit livestock production in the Southern Great Plains and southeastern United States.


Wheat NF101
NF101 is the first wheat variety developed at the Noble Foundation for high fall and winter yield suitable for sustainable forage production and better grain production. NF101 produced the greatest fall-winter forage yield when compared to other varieties during seven years of testing. NF101 is well adapted to southern Oklahoma, northern Texas and the southeastern United States. “It is an excellent choice for producers wanting to maximize fall forage production under rain-fed conditions,” said Mike Trammell, Noble Foundation plant breeder.


Triticale NF201
NF201 triticale is an alternative small grains forage for producers. NF201 is best adapted to the areas of southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. It is more productive on marginal lands and requires less management under stressful conditions compared to wheat, according to Trammell.


Maton II Rye (NF306)
Maton II (NF306) is intended for use in fall through winter grazing systems and builds upon the Noble Foundation’s previous release, Maton. Maton II produces more total forage when compared to the commonly grown rye varieties in southern Oklahoma, with more than half of its total yield produced during the early growing season. Maton II is suited for light-textured and sandy loam soils, and is well adapted to southern Oklahoma, northern and eastern Texas, and the southeastern United States. 


Oat NF402
NF402 is a winter-type forage oat intended for pasture and forage production. In seven years of testing, NF402 produced more total forage than most commonly grown oat varieties with nearly half of the production occurring during the fall and winter.
This oat variety was selected and released based on superior forage production, especially in the fall and winter, compared with standard oat cultivars. “The early fall-winter forage production of this oat is particularly valuable, allowing producers better flexibility for earlier grazing or increased stockpiling,” Trammell said.