United Oilseeds launch first sunflower pool for growers
© Tim Scrivener Grower-owned co-operative United Oilseeds has launched the UK’s first sunflower marketing pool, after noticing an increase in the total growing area.
United Oilseeds has seen the area of sunflowers increase by 25%, from 300ha to 400ha in the past year.
However, this still remains a tiny percentage of total sunflower seed use in the UK, with industry estimates suggesting there is enough demand to support about 40,000ha of sunflowers.
See also: Oilseeds markets ease back with prices at £340/t
Challenging winter planting and growing conditions have led to an increase in spring drilling, and the co-operative said sunflowers could provide an alternative crop choice for this.
Growers will be offered “produce of area” contracts to grow sunflowers for United Oilseeds.
James Warner, managing director at United Oilseeds, said: “We have been thinking about sunflowers for a while now, with the subject coming up in conversations more frequently.
“As break crop specialists, it feels right that we should be pushing the conversation forward, and what better way to do that than by getting the ball rolling with the UK’s first ever sunflower marketing pool.”
Growers in the pool will grow ES Bella, an early-maturing, high-yielding variety from Grainseed, with an expected yield of 1.6-3t/ha.
Neil Groom, general manager at Grainseed, said: “It’s good to see United Oilseeds providing growers with additional break crop opportunities.
“We’ve been selling grain sunflower seed for many years and we’ve been watching the potential growing area in the UK increase year on year.
“Not only is the climate providing opportunities for growing sunflowers further north, but as farming practices evolve, this too supports the case.”