Corteva has confirmed that Xpedite, the system used to create the proprietary hybrid wheat of Vylor — the seed and genetics company it spins off on 1 October — will launch in late 2027, citing multi-year trials showing strong yields and yield stability under disease and drought, Michigan Farm News reports.

In the company's trials the non-GMO hybrid wheat increased yield potential by 10% on the same land and resources, and yielded up to 20% more than elite varieties in water-stressed environments. Because it comes from conventional breeding, its North American launch does not need regulatory approval.

Unlike hybridisation systems known for decades, Vylor's technology has worked in 100% of the wheat germplasm tested, Corteva said, allowing faster genetic gain and commercial-scale seed production. The company expects it to double the annual rate of genetic gain by 2040 compared with conventional wheat.

The grain meets the same quality standards as varietal wheat and needs no special equipment or management. Hard Red Winter wheat will launch first in North America in 2027, followed by Soft Red Winter in 2029 and Hard Red Spring in 2030, with expansion to other regions through its own brands, licensing and partnerships.

Vylor expects hybrid wheat to bring $500 million in revenue by 2035 and $1 billion by 2040, including licensing, making wheat the third pillar of its business alongside corn and soybeans.

Photo: John Shea, FEMA / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Source: Michigan Farm News