Better linseed contracts on offer to tempt growers
The unmistakeable sea of blue could be filling more fields this coming summer with linseed offering an attractive spring option thanks to low growing costs and favourable contracts.
Growers selling crops forward generally must do so on a fixed tonnage.
However, this season Premium Crops is offering a fixed price of £400/t based on the produce of an acreage (rather than tonnage), with relaxed moisture and admixture standards in a bid to help growers reduce their risk.
With seed costs between £85/ha and £95/ha, growers can see good returns with the crop, says Nigel Bazeley, Premium Crops’ director.
“If we can take out the yield risk, some of the quality risk and give a good value, then it’s an attractive option to growers,” he says.
The offer is based on September and October movement with growers who have storage being offered an extra £1.50/month increment, Mr Bazeley adds.
“Alternatively you can fix half of the crop at £400/t and the other half at a £70/t premium over the rape price,” he says.
“If we can take out the yield risk, some of the quality risk and give a good value, then it’s an attractive option to growers.”
Nigel Bazeley, director at Premium Crops
United Oilseeds is offering contracts giving growers a fixed price on 50% of their crop, at £360/t, and a market price on the remaining 50%. The firm’s David Whyte says the option has become popular with current growers and has also tempted others into the linseed market.
The stalwart varieties of Brighton, Batsman and Abacus will provide a large portion of linseed grown next spring, however, EasyCut varieties such as Duchess are offering growers an early maturing variety that is easier to harvest.
The area of linseed grown in the UK is roughly 25,000-40,000ha, according to Mr Bazeley, and the chance to tackle blackgrass is one of the main attractions to growers.
“It gives you the opportunity to get on top of your blackgrass because it is relatively late planting and gives lots of time for applying glyphosate to stale seed-beds,” he says.
“It also still has a wide range of sprays available to manage any grassweeds or broad-leaved weeds and provides an excellent entry into wheat,” Mr Bazeley adds.
