Cereals at the Mill

Each year a range of cereals are grown in the protective cage at the Mill. This year, 2010, we are again growing a range of wheat, barley, oats, rye and triticale. Some details are available from when a similar range of cereals was previously grown at the Mill.

Cultivated Wheats of the World

In 2006 the cereals cage contained some cultivated wheats originally grown in different parts of the world. Unfortunately, many of these older wheat species are now being superseded by Bread Wheat and are therefore at risk of being lost to cultivation.

The Evolution of Wheat

During 2008 the cereals cage contained a living display of the Evolution of Wheat to illustrate the evolution from the wild grasses of the prehistoric Stone Age to the Durum and Bread Wheats of today. A permanent display of the evolution of wheat has also been recreated in the Garner exhibition area.

The Role of Genes in Modern Wheat

In 2009 the cage demonstrated the work of wheat breeders in creating the higher yielding but shorter wheat varieties more suitable to modern farming methods.