A new name will appear in the maize seed market for UK
growers in the next few months as French co-operative Limagrain
completes its buyout of Advanta Seeds on 1 November.
The new company will trade as Limagrain UK and will operate from
Advanta's current base at Rothwell, Lincolnshire.
As a result of the takeover UK farmers will be able to benefit
from a bigger, better maize breeding programme than the current
Advanta programme, which is already the largest in the UK.
With maize accounting for two-thirds of Limagrain's field crops
turnover UK growers can be assured of the group's commitment to the
crop and developing new varieties for northern European
situations.
Advanta Seeds' director Tom Joliffe believes the change to
Advanta's ownership will greatly aid UK farmers as there will be
increased security of seed supply to UK farms from Limagrain's
breeding programme. "Advanta had capacity to produce seed for 1m
acres of maize, mostly sourced from contract seed growers in
Hungary. By contrast, in 2008 Limagrain delivered 4m acres worth of
seed from its growers in France.
"It is too early to predict the 2009 situation, but seed
companies are going into the next sales season knowing European
maize seed stocks are at an all time low and demand is likely to be
the highest ever. Limagrain UK, as the company will be known here,
will be better placed than many to supply farmers with a range of
maize varieties suitable for most UK growing conditions."
Limagrain has planned investment in the UK trials and breeding
programme already and these will include an additional Limagrain
breeder dedicated to selecting varieties for the UK and a doubling
of the size of the UK trials programme, with the number of new
hybrids being tested will triple, explains Dr Joliffe.
Additionally, thanks to the additional resource varieties will
be fast-racked into official trials and reach the marketplace
sooner than previously. "The UK is at the extreme of the geographic
range for maize, however, Limagrain UK intend to accelerate
breeding improvements and deliver varieties that are early, cold
tolerant, high in starch and highly digestible."
Free pack of LG maize
To mark the rebranding farmers will be able to register to
receive a free pack of LG maize at the Dairy Event and Livestock
Show on 17 and 18 September.
Additionally, the company will also be running the cob clinic
where farmers can bring along cobs picked that day to the Limagrain
stand for an assessment of maturity and predicted best harvest
date.