PROTECT AGAINST RISK AND GROW FOR YOUR MARKET IS MESSAGE TO FARMERS

Farmers from across Yorkshire attended meetings in Driffield and Askham Bryan last week [Tuesday/Wednesday] to discuss the manner in which merchants, seed breeders and end-users work together to their customers' benefit, and how to manage risk when marketing your crop.

Speaking were David Sheppard, managing director of grain merchants Gleadell Agriculture who arranged the meetings; and from seed breeders CPB Twyford and Monsanto were commercial director, Andrew Newby and business development manager, Will Ramsay respectively.

Grain marketing

Mr Sheppard opened the meeting by looking at the merchanting business as a whole, stressing that when choosing your merchanting-partner service provided, financial stability and the quality of information given are key.

On the subject of the grain markets he said volatility has not gone away from the grain markets, warning that it will return as intervention support is under threat.

However, according to Mr Sheppard, deciding not to grow post MTR will bring growers no benefits. “The costs may be controlled but there is no upside-income potential. The best way to get a return on your crop is to grow for the market and utilise the risk management products available to you.”

He stressed that Gleadell has put a lot of work into giving their farmer customers the right tools with which to manage their grain marketing: “Unlike many other merchants, where we have knowledge we pass it on - allowing you to make your own choices regarding your crop.”

Oilseed Rape

Meeting end-user requirements are essential, and Will Ramsay of Monsanto considered the future of oilseed rape breeding, telling the meeting that soon varieties will be bred with improved oil characteristics, thus increasing their marketability to users such as McDonalds and Burger King.

Current developments include new conventional, low biomass rapes that aid cost reduction, he said. “Catalina, for instance, has a canopy that dries more efficiently, combines faster and has less straw to chop - equating to lower fuel bills for the grower.”

He added that new hybrids, like Excalibur, are ideal for situations where their high vigour will override stressful situations. “In Germany hybrids are 65% of the oilseed rape crop, compared to just 6% in the UK. The Germans late-drill their hybrids and they still grow well, meaning the grower gets good yields off their entire oilseed crop.” In his opinion UK growers should follow their continental counterparts' example.

Wheat

In four years time there will only be three wheat breeders left in the UK due to constrictions in the industry, said Andrew Newby of CPB Twyford. However continued investment by these breeders, to the advantage of farmers and end-users alike, is dependent on income from certified seed.

“At present the tonnage of certified seed sold by all breeders in the country is near the edge of viability, yet they still continue to invest,” he explained. “It is vital to the industry that we receive income from certified seed. Without new varieties coming through, cereal growing in the UK will decline.”

He underlined this by looking at forthcoming varieties developed by CPB that will benefit cereal growers. Group 4, winter wheat Humber is now in Recommended List trials and has the best possible rating for Eyespot resistance at plus 9; while Oakley, a Group 4 winter wheat, is said to be a step forward from current wheat yields.