Members News
1. The NIAB - NSMT “Triticale for thatching” trials 2007
Thatch is a perfect example of a sustainable building material. It is a renewable natural resource that can be utilised not only as part of the built heritage but also as a viable material for building sustainable dwellings for the future. Thatch is the only roofing material that will come close to satisfying the current government’s wish for zero carbon house building.
In the United Kingdom, the demand for high quality cereal straw for thatching exceeds supply; With the UK’s unpredictable climatic conditions, Triticale is an ideal complementary crop to wheat for thatching particularly as in the future wheat varieties suitable for thatching will become less available now that both M Huntsman & M Widgeon are no longer on any National Lists. The only way that thatching, for both new and historic buildings, can meet demand for materials is to look forward to new cereal varieties. There is no legal mechanism to substantially increase production of older wheat varieties and it is unlikely that even if the law changes to include conservation varieties the economics of maintaining pure and distinct stock will make the exercise unviable.
Some modern Triticale varieties have knowingly been used for thatching for nearly two decades. For those thatchers that use it regularly it has proved to be a durable material that is wearing well. However, the most popular variety, “ Purdy” has been on the National List for 10 years and is rapidly becoming outclassed.
The collaboration with NIAB is an important step in keeping pace with agricultural crop developments. By monitoring new varieties year on year, quality issues can be identified, fresh seed will be readily available and breeders and agents will be aware of the characteristics that make good straw for thatching. In this way, the future for thatching with cereal straw can be secured. In plant breeding terms, Triticale is a minor speciality crop, which from a thatching perspective means that agents will be interested in considering thatching straw as a significant market opportunity.
Stephen Eyles cutting one of the trial plots. Martin Willmott (in sunglasses) is picking up the sheaves
Selected varieties from the NIAB Cambridge trial plots were harvested on 18th July and are currently maturing before threshing. The material will be evaluated in two ways, using methods developed and published during the original PIT project (2) and using thatchers’ evaluation through subjective blind testing to be carried out in November 2007.
Results will be published in November 2007 but for additional information particularly for purchasing seed for planting this season, contact the NSMT office.
Local authority conservation officers need to be aware that there are some active thatch consultants advising against the use of Triticale as a “like-for-like” replacement material for combed wheat reed and long straw thatching. It is important to understand that Triticale is acceptable and the issue is clearly addressed in the English Heritage Guidance Notes (1).1.
References
(1) English Heritage, (1998) Thatch & thatching a guidance note, page 7. “Combed wheat reed. This form of thatch uses cereal straw (usually wheat), despite the name” and Page16 Appendices “Combed wheat reed. By this term winter grown cereal straw is meant; it may be wheat, rye or a hybrid” and page 17 “Long Straw. In the choice of straw the same considerations apply as to the straw used for combed wheat reed………..”
(2) Angold R. E., Sanders M., (1999) Specifications, standards, measurements, testing and recording. Report for the extended Partners in Technology Project DoE reference: CI 39/3/286 Volume 3.
Triticale cv "Benetto" standing up well on July 18 2007 despite recent heavy rain.