Movers, shakers, breakers
Wondering which varieties to choose this spring? Gilly Johnson asks the seed trade for pointers as to this seasons favourites.
Movers, shakers, breakers
Linseed
ITS still worthwhile this spring, with area aid for the 2000 linseed crop expected to work out at about £360/ha (£146/acre), when top-up payment is taken into account. And thanks to last years huge expansion, there should be plenty of seed to service an area which traders are predicting will come back down to below half that of last season. Once again spring linseed will by far outweigh the winter version.
Variety choice will boil down to price and supply. Long-standing market leader Barbara isnt to everyones taste; theres still a loyal following for earlier maturing, small seeded (and hence cheaper to sow) types such as well-established, consistent Flanders (80p-£1/kg, single-purpose dressed). Norlin would also fit into this category.
Symphonia is a new small seeded, very early type from Dalgety. Very little seed was about last year when it was first introduced; theres more available now and the company expects this high yielding newcomer to take a significant market share.
Old variety Antares isnt small-seeded or early, but can be found in the bargain basket as a cheap seed option.
Many varieties fall in between the extremes on yield, seed size or maturity. Giving Barbara a run for its money this year will be high yielding Oscar; adequate seed supplies have now been established. Zoltan is a Barbara lookalike but with an edge on earliness and yield; Agristar is a later-maturing type with higher yield than Barbara. Jupiter is a high yielding, medium maturity linseed which is also in that group of front-runners. All these types will be on offer between 85-95p/kg, single purpose dressed.
Ironically, two super high performance varieties are now on the Descriptive List 2000 – what a pity that Oscar and new entrant, Dutch-bred Biltstar (Robin Appel) did not arrive a few years ago. But there is a downside to their output potential of perhaps 15% above Barbara: they are both later maturing types, similar to Agristar.
Other newcomers are Taurus (Cebeco Seed Innovations), Tyne (Nickerson UK), Agriace and Agrigem (Agrifusion), and edible oil linseed variety Rydal (Nickerson UK) – see the table for details.
Not on the Descriptive List, but out in the market place on specialist niche premium buy-back contracts are: two golden seeded linseeds, Lindor and Omega, and very large seeded black Master. All these varieties are used for baking and confectionary purposes; last year premiums of about £20/t were available. Semundo is the agent.
Another premium opportunity is offered by super high oil variety, Niagara (Geoff Williams Seeds, Lincoln), with 46% oil. This compares with a standard of 38%.
Seed dressings will be an issue following the lindane ban; flea beetle can be a worrisome pest in many regions. The only alternative to seed treatment is spraying the crop with insecticide – which is arguably less environmentally friendly than a seed dressing.
However, applying seed treatment abroad is allowed, and so some dual-purpose dressed seed will be available this spring from certain merchants. For example, Robin Appel is offering some Flanders and Zoltan dual-purpose dressed; expect to see 15p/kg or so added to the price tag – but its still a much cheaper option than spraying.
Flax contracts remain on offer for spring 2000, despite the uncertainty regarding a possible change in the rules on fibre flax subsidy scheme. A proposal is that in future aid might only be payable when flax is grown on IACS eligible land; this would spell the end of the crop for many. However, it is unlikely that any new proposals will be adopted by Brussels in time for the 2000 harvest, so merchants are proceeding with contracts as usual. Theres extra leeway this season with deferred payment terms and more flexibility on bale shape – both round and square bales will be acceptable.
Variety NIAB economic Breeder/ Profile
output rating* agent
(yield rating)
Agriace 96 (94) Agrifusion Medium maturity, yields around Barbara level, weaker strawed
Agrigem 95 (94) Agrifusion Early maturity, yields around Barbara level, weaker strawed
Biltstar 111 (109) Robin Super high yielding Appel variety, but somewhat late maturing and weaker stemmed. Large, vigorous seed. Limited quantities available
Rydal 102 (100) Nickerson Edible oil variety with UK similar yield to market leader Windermere, but earlier
Taurus 104 (104) Cebeco High yields, medium
Seed maturity, good standing
Innovations power
Tyne 99 (98) Nickerson Good yield, medium
UK maturity, short and stiff type with big seeds
*output rating includes a factor for oil content
Variety NIAB economic Breeder/agent Profile output rating* (yield rating)
Corsair 105 (105) Semences Early maturing (similar to Maskot) varietal association; Cargill/Monsanto rather weak stemmed
Estrade 104 (103) Semundo High yields from this conventional rape, but overshadowed by Senators huge output. Slightly earlier than Senator with medium maturity; no seed available until 2001
Jura 106 (107) Daltons Varietal association hybrid with moderate earliness and stiffness
Liquido 107 (107) Perryfields Varietal association hybrid with moderate earliness; quite tall and not stiff
Mistral 110 (111) CPB Twyford Front runner on yield, but not an early type. Variety association hybrid; tall but exceptionally stiff
Senator 109 (108) Semundo Super high yielding conventional rape with moderately late maturity – similar to Aries
*output rating includes a factor for oil content
Spring rape
A SPARKLE has returned to the rape market with news that oilseed aid will not be cut back to the extent that was originally feared, because overshoot penalties look unlikely. This will help revive spring rape seed sales, reckons the seed trade.
The early maturing hybrid Hyola varieties took a large chunk – 35% or so, according Dalgetys Julie Goult – of the spring rape market last year. In Scotland, Hyolas were relatively more popular, taking up to half the area.
But seed prices were high, and for some the harvest didnt live up to the hype, she says. So Hyola rapeseed wont cost as much this spring; Hyola 401 is being set at £49.50/ha (£20/acre), and the super-early Hyola 38 has come back to £54/ha (£22/acre). This price cutting will maintain growers interest in Hyolas, says Allieds David Waite.
Just as well: there is now strong competition from the conventional spring rapes. New variety Senator (Semundo) comes in as a serious challenger with output performance rating of 109 – beating the Hyolas as well as the conventional spring rapes. Maturity is about the same as old favourite Aries – so those in the far north may find it a shade late. However, its yield performance in Scottish trials has been outstanding – expect to see Senator sitting at the top of the SAC Recommended List, to be published shortly. Price will be at the premium end of the conventional market, which means from £6.25-£6.45p/kg, single purpose dressed.
Seed supplies of the other new conventional entrant, Estrade (Semundo), will not be available until 2001. Of the other conventional rapes, stiff and early Maskot, which headed last years yield league in Scotland, will be a strong seller, and long-standing Sprinter should also keep a smaller but loyal following.
Cheaper varieties such as Sprinter should sell in the £5.75p-6.25p/kg range, treated (Rovral/Thiram), suggests Dalgety. Liaison has also proved popular in the south, says Allied.
A clutch of new hybrids makes its way onto the 2000 Recommended List. None of them are restored Hyolas – instead these are varietal association (VA) hybrids. Corsair (Semences Cargill/Monsanto) is the one in this bunch with sufficient earliness to challenge the Hyolas, and to interest those worried about harvest date. It includes two pollinator types within the composite seed mixture, which improves pollination potential.
For yield, its Mistral (CPB Twyford) – a tall but exceptionally stiff high performance VA hybrid which is later maturing. Then theres French-bred Jura (Daltons), a vigorous, good rooting VA hybrid, and Liquido (Perryfields) – the choice is yours. (See table on p21)
Other changes to the 2000 Recommended List are the promotion of VA hybrid Concept, and Hyolas 38 and 401 to full recommendation; Hyola 38 is tagged for special use due to its exceptional earliness. Sprinter has a similar recommendation due to stiffness.
Moved to outclassed are Licosmos, Canyon, Rebel and Acrobat. Hyola 420 is removed at the breeders request, Aries, Star and Marinka fall off following a session in outclassed, and hybrid Superol is removed altogether following seed production difficulties.
Variety NIAB treated Breeder/agent Profile yield rating
Chime 103 Nickerson UK A quality malting variety giving a good all-round package of agronomic characters plus earliness – an Optic alternative but with shorter, stiffer straw and better disease resistance
Saloon 107 New Farm Crops Superb yield performance but malting quality may not suit all brewers. Very short and stiff; good disease resistance. Slightly late maturity might limit appeal in the north. Excellent resistance to ear loss
Tavern 105 New Farm Crops Provisionally recommended for the Central, south-east and south-west regions due to later maturity, this high yielding malting variety has very short, stiff straw. With the highest resistance to BYDV and brown rust, this will be a useful variety in the south west. Malting quality rated 9 but probably wont match that of Optic
Spring barley
WITH maltsters reluctant to commit on buyback contracts, and prices low, theres little zip in the spring barley seed market. Predictions are of a 5% fall in area in Scotland, and a 15% fall in England/Wales.
That said, what action there is clearly belongs to Optic. This variety could take half the spring barley area, and dominates south and north. Chariot is dropping back; yield is outclassed and problems with skinning and cracking havent helped.
Scottish growers had a relatively easy time with Optic last year, says Dalgetys David Neale. "Harvest was early. But they could come unstuck in a more difficult season, because of its later maturity."
The Scottish spring barley market is segmented. Demand for Delibes, Prisma, Derkado, Maresi and niche variety Golden Promise continues, as these varieties satisfy different distillers and maltsters. Advice is to talk to your local merchant and identify end user requirements.
Decanter, Chalice and Century are newer varieties on the way up. Decanter could be a Delibes replacement for maltsters wanting high diastatic power. Allieds David Waite points to short, stiff and early Chalice as a potential mainstream front-runner.
Of the feed varieties, Dandy puts in a consistent performance in the south and west, says Dalgetys David Neale. In Scotland, Riviera remains number one choice, and theres still a following for Hart.
Seed of this years three newcomers to the Recommended List will be limited. And until maltsters and distillers finish testing, merchants are not sure which variety to back. Initial reactions are that Saloon (New Farm Crops) could be hampered by an 8 for malting – that is unless any one buyer takes a particular interest. Tavern (New Farm Crops) looks to have malting quality, but would it be a tad late for the north? Chime (Nickerson UK) is short, stiff and early – but is it better than Chalice?
Seed prices are about £20-30/t lower than last year. Supplies are good, and markets have fallen. Theres a wide range of price tags currently quoted, from £245-285/t, treated. Demand for manganese seed treatment is high in England – "its cheap, and it works," says Dalgetys David Neale. Varieties which could run short first: Optic, Chalice and Decanter.
Variety NIAB treated Breeder/ Profile
yield rating agent
Firth 105 CPB Highest yield on the new Twyford list coupled with earliness, stiff straw and good disease resistance. Quality completes an excellent package – tipped to become new market leader when seed stocks allow
Spring oats
MOST spring oats are grown in Scotland. The rigours of the northern climate explain why good straw strength and early maturity help sell a spring oat variety. For human consumption, crop quality has to be maintained, even in a difficult harvest.
In this context, new entrant Firth (CPB Twyford) looks "too good to be true," according to Dr Ethyl White of the Department of Agriculture, Northern Ireland (DANI).
It has the highest yield on the 2000 Recommended List, stiff, short straw and excellent mildew resistance. Its also early. Good kernel content and low screenings are the icing on the cake. The only problem this spring is the need for patience; seed supply is limited.
When stocks are built up, Allieds David Waite reckons Firth will be the natural successor to mainstream varieties: long standing Dula and Amigo, which has a regional recommendation for the north thanks to earliness. For now, theres a good choice of alternatives. Bold grained Drummer and stiff strawed Banquo should be popular. Banquo is promoted to fully recommended this year; this variety could interest organic growers who are looking to replace Melys, which is removed from recommendation, with a similar spring oat.
As last year, Dalgety is offering buy-back contracts on Revisor, particularly in the north. This variety is wanted by a major oat miller.
Quality oat Aberglen moves to outclassed; yield is slipping back and its not as stiff as some newcomers, but seed will be available. Sailor is also outclassed: "Im not sure why – its stiff, and yield is good," says Mr Waite. Popular Valiant is also outclassed. The challenge presented by higher yielding newcomers is great. Kite (Semundo) was not recommended.
After "some agonising" by the NIAB Council, spring naked oat Bullion was removed, which means no spring naked oats are recommended. "Theres very little seed around," says Dr White. "But this category might be re-opened when more varieties come through."
Theres good news on price. Good seed supply and the fall in the market should cut oat seed bills by £20/t or so from last year, with varieties retailing at between £275-280/t treated, says Mr Waite.
Spring wheat
AFTER a wet autumn forced some growers into spring wheats for the first time last year, the premium performance and low input costs came as a pleasant surprise.
Two varieties favoured by Allied are Samoa in the south, and Shiraz in the north; both offer good premium potential, and buy-back contracts are available.
Last years new entrant Paragon, rated a Group 1 variety with top milling quality, sets a new standard in the old Axona spring wheat slot. Some seed is available this spring.
Chablis and Imp are alternative options but are not as attractive to millers. There are no newcomers to the 2000 List. Last year seed shortages pushed prices up to £400/t; this spring growers can expect to pay much less: perhaps £275-295/t treated, says Mr Waite.
low tannin types for the future…"
Other changes to the 2000 List are the removal of yellow flowered low yielding Goldrush, which failed to attract export/specialist buyers, and the demotion of Corvette to outclassed; yield now looks lacklustre. Quattro and the two white beans, Avon and Alpine, are promoted to full recommendation.
New for 2000 are two varieties: Meli (CPB Twyford) and Piccadilly (Wherry and Sons). Both are tallish, and neither is early – see the table for details. Seed supply is limited, particularly with Piccadilly.
Price wise, a range of £275-295/t, Thiram dressed, is considered likely. Seed supply should meet demand easily, but traders anticipate that Quattro will run short first.
Growers looking for the niche pigeon feed market premiums with Maris Bead could be disappointed. The trade has adequate supplies, and theres been a shift in pigeon feed rations which has lowered the requirement.
Variety NIAB yield Breeder/ Profile
rating agent
Meli 105 CPB Very high yields, early maturing, Twyford longer strawed coloured flowered bean, probably feed use rather than export quality
Piccadilly 104 Wherry High yielding early coloured & Sons bean. Weak against downy mildew. Small quantity of seed available