Sterling is well adapted to all sorghum areas; it is an excellent performer from 2.5 t/ha to 11 t/ha. It offers a unique fit for those areas with high rainfall variability; it combines high yield potential with a trait package to improve standability and protect grain quality.
Sterling –
Rolls with the punches
From Central Queensland to Southern New South Wales, Sterling is the go-to hybrid for growers chasing dependable performance under pressure. It combines the reliability of a medium-quick maturity with the yield potential of longer-season types. With proven versatility across dryland and supplementary irrigation, Sterling delivers strong, consistent results season after season.
What makes Sterling right for your farm?
Built to handle heat, pressure and tough conditions, Sterling combines the reliability of medium-quick maturity with the high-yield potential of longer maturity hybrids.
Yield adaptability
From Southern NSW to Central QLD, Sterling delivers reliable grain and silage yields across dryland and supplementary irrigation. Vigorous seedlings, strong stems, and reduced tillering designed to be moisture-smart, ensuring it stands up in unpredictable conditions. With stable results from 2.5 to 11 tonnes per hectare, it’s a versatile hybrid built to suit a wide range of environments.
Stress & disease tolerance
With strong pre- and post-flowering stress tolerance and a midge rating of 6, Sterling holds firm under pressure. Plus, with built-in leaf disease protection, Sterling maintains yield stability.
Plant vigour
Boasting high seedling vigour and strong standability, Sterling establishes fast and stays strong, even in challenging conditions. Its lower tillering and efficient canopy help it stay tough and stable through dry seasons. Sterling keeps growing strong from start to finish.
Grain quality
Sterling produces large, bold red grain ideal for markets where visual appearance and quality count. With a grain size rating of 9, combined with uniform flowering and rapid grain fill, it delivers consistent, high-quality kernels, that perform reliably across varying conditions.
Sterling
Stability Plot
NSW & QLD 2021-25 (5 yrs, 87 trials)
Formula: y = 0.37 = x , R2 = 0.95
Note: The information provided in this graph is a summary.
For the full trial data, please reach out directly to our Pacific Seeds team to read the full trial data.
| Attributes | Rating |
|---|---|
| Midge test rating | 6 |
| Seedling vigour | 8 |
| Seedling cold tolerance | 8 |
| Tillering | 6 |
| Standability | 8 |
| Grain size | 9 |
| Grain colour | Red |
| Pollen production | 8 |
| Pre-flowering stress tolerance | 8 |
| Post-flowering stress tolerance | 8 |
| Irrigation | Yes |
| Wide rows | Yes |
| Imidazolinone tolerance | No |
Important note: this is a guide only, to make a fully informed choice, please refer to our Advanta Seeds Pty Ltd specific conditions
Sterling Technote
Sterling Technote
Get all the technical detail you need – from planting and population advice to disease resistance and yield performance.
FAQs for Sterling
No, Sterling is an excellent partner for Resolute, because Sterling is quicker to flower; planting Sterling with Resolute spreads the risk of variable weather. Sterling maturity and a combination of staygreen, stem strength and height give added resistance to late season stress.
Staygreen is a trait that helps the plant to maintain green leaf area and reduce the relocation of stem reserves under drought stress in grainfill. Hybrids with high staygreen often have deep roots.
A general recommendation in most dryland situations (including both wide row and narrow configurations) is 50,000 plants/ha (established evenly) is a solid base. For environments that have very high yield potential (including irrigation) the optimum density will be 70,000-150,000 p/ha (established evenly). For best results, speak with your agronomist or Pacific Seeds technical staff to tailor a population that suits your farm.
Yes, Sterling has excellent yield potential, it is a great option for limited irrigation or late planted irrigation.
Yes, Sterling’s combination of lower tillering, and medium quick maturity help reduce water use. Excellent uniformity and quick grainfill reduce the risk of late season stress.
A suggestion would be to plant Sterling on the deeper soils with higher yield potential and pair with MR Bazley to manage the seasonal risk.
Sterling is an excellent option for later in the planting window.
- Thanks to it’s medium quick maturity, it’s quick enough
- It’s uniform, and when planted late it reduces its tiller numbers, so it comes into flower nice and quickly and gets through the grain fill period rapidly
- Disease tolerance and a strong midge help support a later plant
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