Warning to buy spring cereal and bean seeds now
James Henderson, Grass and Forage Trader
There has been considerable interest in spring cereal seed availability following extreme weather conditions in the UK and Europe.
Both the UK and Europe are set to experience significant spring cereal seed shortages, partly due to poor establishment conditions last spring, extreme temperatures across southern Europe and a wet harvest in the UK, resulting in lower-yielding crops and problems with germination.
Secondly, seed production areas for spring cereals have been significantly reduced since 2022, a knock-on effect of high winter wheat plantings in the autumn 2022 on the back of the Ukrainian war and favourable sowing conditions, resulting in areas normally available for spring sowings not being there for 2023 spring seed crops or commercial buy-back contracts.
As a result, seed crop areas in the UK have seen decreases of 20% in spring wheat, 16% in spring barley, 27% in spring oats and a staggering 32% in spring beans.
Pair this with reductions in 2023 spring yields and overall seed quality, and spring cereal seed availability is going to be very tight. We predict interest to increase rapidly throughout the winter and into early spring, by which time, your preferred variety choice may have sold out. We recommend booking early.
Growing spring cereals remains popular with livestock farmers looking for homegrown feed and straw and with arable farmers for the agronomic and rotational benefits – but choosing the right variety is vital.
Poor conditions during establishment and grain fill over the past few seasons make a variety that’s quick to establish and early to mature an important character trait.
Disease resistance has also become a key factor in a variety's ability to cope with unseasonal weather patterns. Varieties that score particularly well against the main diseases, have a better chance to reach their full yield and quality potential, resulting in a more profitable crop.
Choosing a variety with a high specific weight, and producing a nice bold grain, is another attractive characteristic in getting the most from your crop.
Some will favour tall straw varieties for homegrown straw. However, choosing varieties that stand well, with high lodging resistance, is important.
Yield is a key driver in variety choice, but high yields can sometimes come at a cost to other important characteristics.
Evelina spring barley
Our exclusive spring barley variety Evelina consistently delivers:
- Competitive grain yields
- Tall straw with good standing ability
- Big bold grains resulting in high specific weights
- Outstanding disease resistance
- Quick establishment and early maturity
- Strong tillering characteristics
Since its introduction to the UK market, Evelina has become known for its consistency and versatility, producing quality grains and high straw yields across the country and across various seasons.
It yields as well as regular Recommended Listed varieties, but its height, which is 12cm taller than most other spring barleys, has resulted in significantly higher straw yields.
Evelina has outstanding disease resistance with no major weaknesses and high untreated yields.
And it has remained hugely popular with our livestock farmers wanting a robust variety that is tidy and easy to manage.
Spring beans
With import costs still high, continued supply challenges of mid-proteins, plus the drive to be more sustainable, we are interested in working with potential growers of spring beans on buy-back contracts for our feed mills.
This will help reduce our reliance on soya in compound feeds, provide growers with a reliable home for their produce and add nitrogen to the soil for the following crop.
Arable silage mixtures
Another way for livestock farmers wanting to increase home-grown protein feeds is to grow arable silage mixtures containing peas, lupins and vetch, together with the added starch value from the cereals and nitrogen residue from the pulses and legumes for the following crop.
Call the Grass & Forage Line on 01769 576232 to discuss your spring seed requirements.
