Archive Article: 2000/03/24
• WITH 70% of wheat for organic animal feed having to be imported there are great opportunities for UK producers to fill the gap, says Essex compounder W & * Marriage & Sons. "But not everyone has land suitable for organic cropping and the official standards are continually being tightened to protect this premium market," notes the firms Graham Loveday.
• SUBSCRIPTIONS to the Arable Research Centres in 1999/2000 have been held unchanged for the fourth season running due to good farmer support and trading surpluses, according to chairman Martin Jenkins. The move has been well received by members who face unprecedented cuts in income on all enterprises, he says.
• SOFT-MILLING wheats Claire and Consort occupy 19.4% each of the UK certified seed area, enough to supply half the certified winter wheat seed market this autumn, according to Nickersons Bill Angus. "Growers have jumped in to Claire. It has become the biggest-ever variety in its first year of recommendation," he says. *