CDC Fleet, a very early maturing two-rowed hulled feed barley variety developed at the Crop Development Centre, was registered for sale in Canada in 1996. CDC Fleet is characterized by very early maturity (heads 7 d and matures 3-5 d earlier than Harrington), normal height, but very strong straw, and excellent physical grain quality. As a consequence of its early maturity, CDC Fleet yields less than other varieties (5% less than Harrington). CDC Fleet has good resistance to scald, is moderately resistant to net blotch, and carries Rpg1 for stem rust resistance.

CDC Fleet was developed as an alternative to early maturing six-rowed varieties for planting situations where early maturity is required since the resulting grain quality will be considerably superior. CDC Fleet will be useful for the provision of an early source of standing stubble for winter wheat planting; for use when seeding is delayed by adverse weather or when producers wish to attempt to control weeds culturally prior to planting; when re-planting is necessitated by original crop loss due to late spring frost; following silage harvest, if sufficient moisture is available; in areas where early maturity is an absolute necessity; for planting as an early lure-crop to attract migrating waterfowl away from other crops; or when a producer wishes to harvest his or her barley crop before other crops as a matter of convenience.

CDC Fleet offers no advantage in comparison with other well adapted, high yielding, high quality varieties such as CDC Dolly when seeding takes place during the normal May seeding period, except for specialty situations as described above. However, when planted during mid to late June and even into early July, it has consistently outyielded standard check varieties. It is anticipated that CDC Fleet will be a niche market variety.

CDC Fleet was tested as SB90697 and TR328 and is from the cross Abee/Norber//Nairn. CDC Fleet has been released exclusively to Value Added Seeds Ltd, Lumsden, SK for seed multiplication and distribution. Limited Certified seed supplies will be available for planting in 1998 with general availability to follow in 1999.