Seed contracts – toe in the water for now
Seed contracts – toe in the water for now
THIS seasons wheat variety mix is much as before, with Claire, Consort and Savannah offering early, mid and late season sowing options. "But we are having a look at a bit of Xi19 – 95% of our cereal seed is home-saved.
"We are also growing seed on contract for the first time – 40ha of Tanker and Consort – for a firm that wants more grown locally. Well get a £12/t premium. My only concern is that with the C1 seed at £350/t, the premium based on harvest wheat price and a bigger than normal crop expected, we may have chosen the wrong year to start."
Seed rates have again been trimmed slightly. "We started on Sept 17 at 125seeds/sq m, which was about 80kg/ha, and increased it by 10kg/ha a week. Last year we began at 90kg – but on our soil establishment is everything and I didnt want to compromise it by going too low yet."
Mr Knights belief that the vigour of home-saved Apex oilseed rape was too low last season persuaded him to switch to bought-in Fortress and Shannon this year. *
Roots progress
After last year, having nearly two-thirds of the potatoes lifted at encouraging yields of 40-50t/ha (16-20t/acre) despite some late planting, is a relief, says Mr Knight. Sole disappointment is common scab on some Maris Piper, which rules out pre-packing. Sugar beet, with contracted lifting due to start this week, is also promising. But roadworks closing the A10 route to Wissington factory until Nov 1, which would have added 18 miles to the hauliers trip, have delayed the work.
and subsequent wheat sowing.