SOWN AREA TO DRIVE SEED ROYALTIES

Plant breeder Senova is introducing a new way of collecting seed royalties.

Based on area sown rather than the traditional seed cost method, it will apply to the firm’s two new winter oat varieties, Tardis and Brochan, and growers will be invoiced directly through the BSPB.

“We are launching this new approach not only to better manage our intellectual property but to encourage growers to better evaluate the benefits delivered through new varieties,” said the firm’s Chris Green.

Under the Royalty Area Collection concept certified and farm-saved seed of the varieties will carry the same rate, lower than the current certified level, explained Mr Green.