Maris Wigeon

Uses

It produces a tall, strong stemmed straw without the use of artificial fertilisers, which makes it popular with thatchers and straw craftsmen. It is also popular with artisan bread bakers and specialist organic millers.

Problems in production

There are two wheat varieties, suitable for thatching, on the current National List of Permitted Varieties (EU legislation policed by DEFRA) - Maris Widgeon and Maris Huntsman. Until 2008/9 the only commercial seed distributor for Maris Widgeon was Pickards Seeds, of Burrington, Devon. Other traditional varieties have become unlisted which means that they cannot be bought, sold or even given away. At one time, no option existed but to grow Maris Widgeon from kept seed.

Maris Widgeon is currently commercially available from various outlets, such as Pearce Seeds of Yeovil, Somerset, for commercial or organic farming. Pearce Seeds are responsible for 'maintaining and protecting' the Maris Widgeon heritage variety of wheat.

References

References

1. Bread-making quality of wheat: a century of breeding in Europe By Bob Belderok, J. Mesdag, Dingena A. Donner
2. (2008-08-29). "Days are numbered for Widgeon variety". Farmersguardian.com.
3. (June 2009). "Thatching Specifications". The East Anglia Master Thatcher’s Association.
4. Low, Susan. (9 November 2003). "Living Review Food & Drink: Just What We Knead". The Independent on Sunday.
5. . (2016-01-01). ["Special Edition of Plant Breeders' Rights and the UK National Lists"](https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/507367/special-gazette-2016-01.pdf). *Animal and Plant Health Agency*.
6. (January 2018). "Certification, marketing, packaging and labelling of cereal seed". Businesslink.gov.uk.
7. (11 February 2006). "Growing Thatching Straw in Wales". Glaus.org.uk.
8. (2016-01-01). "Cereals - Winter". Pearce Seeds.
9. "High grade seed replication". Pearce Seeds.