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.
Sterling –
Rolls with the punches
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
Hear an overview from Trevor Philp (Summer Grains Agronomist) as he explains why this medium-quick maturity hybrid handles pressure and delivers strong yields when it matters most.
Discover why Sterling delivers standout performance in tough grain sorghum environments. Trevor Philp (Summer Grains Agronomist) takes a closer look at Sterling’s key strengths, including excellent uniformity, reduced tillering, strong leaf disease tolerance, and adaptability to late planting. Tune in to learn why this medium-quick maturity hybrid is a reliable choice for growers.
Hear an overview from Trevor Philp (Summer Grains Agronomist) as he explains why this medium-quick maturity hybrid handles pressure and delivers strong yields when it matters most.
Discover why Sterling delivers standout performance in tough grain sorghum environments. Trevor Philp (Summer Grains Agronomist) takes a closer look at Sterling’s key strengths, including excellent uniformity, reduced tillering, strong leaf disease tolerance, and adaptability to late planting. Tune in to learn why this medium-quick maturity hybrid is a reliable choice for growers.
Sterling Stability Plot
Formula: y = 0.37 = x , R^2 = 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.
Sterling
Grain Yield x Plant Population under Irrigated Environments
5 Locations across VIC, NSW & QLD in 2024
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Attributes & Ratings
| Product | Midge test rating | Seedling vigour | Seedling cold tolerance | Tillering | Standability | Grain size | Grain colour | Pollen production | Pre-flowering stress tolerance | Post-flowering stress tolerance | Irrigation | Wide rows | Imidazolinone tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling | 6 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | Red | 8 | 8 | 8 | Yes | Yes | No |
| Attributes | Rating |
|---|---|
| Yield adaptability | 1.0 – 4.5 t/ha |
| Blackleg rating (UCI) | R |
| Blackleg rating (bare) | R |
| Blackleg groups | ADFH |
| Oil potential | High – very high |
| Herbicide tolerance | XX + CL |
| Maturity | Early – mid |
| # Plant vigour | 8.5 – 9.0 |
| # Plant height | Medium – tall |
| Growing zones | LRZ – HRZ |
Important note: this is a guide only, to make a fully informed choice, please refer to our Advanta Seeds Pty Ltd specific conditions
Technote and Tools
Get all the technical detail you need – from planting and population advice to disease resistance and yield performance.
Technote and Tools
Get all the technical detail you need – from planting and population advice to disease resistance and yield performance.
FAQs for
What areas suit Sterling?
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.
Would I plant Sterling instead of Resolute?
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.
What is staygreen and what does it do?
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.
What density should I establish if I plant Sterling?
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.
Is Sterling suited to irrigation?
Yes, Sterling has excellent yield potential, it is a great option for limited irrigation or late planted irrigation.
I plant wide rows in an area that often runs short of water. Would Sterling be an option for me?
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.
Why would I plant Sterling late?
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.
What does CRM mean, and what's the CRM of this hybrid?
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.
What levels of stay green are in this hybrid?
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.
What is the dry down like on this hybrid?
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.
What population should I plant this hybrid at?
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.
Can I use 'IMI' herbicides on this hybrid?
Yes, Sterling has excellent yield potential, it is a great option for limited irrigation or late planted irrigation.
What end uses are applicable for this hybrid?
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.
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Ask us about how our products can add value to your business and customers?
