Koto is available to growers in the Northeast for the first time in 2002. It was developed in a joint project between Cornell University and Kade Research, funded by Birkett Mills, and was in commercial trials in New York annually from 1999 through 2001. It has outyielded Manisoba by 13% on aaerage and is more stress tolerant. More info on Koto.
Manisoba, has outperformed Manor by about 10% in New York trials since 1995 and has been contracted since 2000. While 2000 was a terrible year to introduce a new variety (explanation), it is a superior variety that is the mainstay of Northeast production.
Manor was the dominant variety throught he 1990's. It has large seeds that are required by customers making whole groats or soba noodles. It meets the international market grade.
Common buckwheat is smaller seeded and is used by mills making flour and pancake mix. It is also grown for cover crop seed.
Keukett is a new variety licensed to Birkett Mills, for which seed is being bulked up to perform commercial trials.
Our tests have shown that some varieties that are excellent in the Plains do
poorly here. These varieties include Koban and Springfield.
Modifed May 17, 2002 by TB