The 2023/4 seasons weather has presented significant challenges.
Despite these difficulties, Winter crops sown in August and September 2023 held up relatively well. The OSR drilled in early August looked strong and mostly survived CSFB.
Premium Crops contract HEAR (high erucic acid rapeseed) and HOLL (high oleic low linolenic) OSR varieties, which carry a premium over 00 OSR. HEAR rapeseed is used for industrial purposes. HOLL rapeseed on the other hand is destined for human consumption markets.
Most Winter linseed was drilled in September, although the weather delayed some sowing into October. A new EAMU for Katamaran was obtained, providing a valuable addition for pre-emergence broadleaf weed control. Many minor crops lack authorisation for PPPs (plant protection products). Premium Crops actively lobbies on behalf of their growers to ensure they have access to the resources needed to grow successful crops. At any one time, it is not unusual to have 2-4 EAMU’s in progress. Partnerships with many major trials companies across the UK ensure a range of trials to test varieties, PPPs and growing practises under different soil and weather conditions.
Spring Crops and Their Performance
The unpredictable Autumn weather caused delays in planting and in some cases, crop failures, leading to an increased focus on Spring crops. Canary Seed proved a popular option due to its low input requirements and cost-effectiveness. Canary Seed is grown for the domestic bird seed industry, replacing Canadian imports.
The break-crop qualities of linseed have long recognised. Long, lateral roots provide excellent soil conditioning as well as a greatly helping to reduce slug populations in following wheats. Many failed OSR crops were replaced successfully by Winter Linseed if actioned early enough in the Autumn. Once the cut-off point was reached (October) growers switched to Spring Linseed. This allowed rotations to be maintained and provided a strong entry to a wheat crop. Linseed’s variety of end-uses (human consumption seed/oil, enhanced nutrition animal feed etc) has kept demand and value high.
The wet weather disrupted herbicide application timings, resulting in higher levels of blackgrass in some winter crops. Fortunately, Spring linseed, Canary Seed, and borage allowed for delayed drilling, helping farmers achieve effective stale seedbeds. Canary seed has shown itself to be very competitive, with farmers commenting on how well it shades out blackgrass, contributing positively to their grass weed control strategy.
It’s crucial to always keep the broader rotation in mind, as the impact of a crop on weed control isn’t always factored into gross margins. The benefits to the following crop, such as reduced herbicide use or lower competition, are important but often overlooked.
Trials and Agronomy Efforts
A record year for Premium Crops kept their technical team extremely busy. Over a thousand trial plots for Harvest 2024 were commissioned! Variety trials are held for Winter Linseed, Spring Linseed and HEAR on multiple sites, as well as agronomy trials (such as herbicide screenings, seed rate, sowing date, etc) across our crop portfolio. Testing timings and rates in minor crops is vital to ensure crop safety as there is very limited data of herbicides for minor crops
Sustainable Farming and Environmental Practices
The introduction of Sustainable Farming Incentives (SFI) led to great change in agriculture. Minor crops now compete with wildflowers and legume fallows in the rotation.
Premium Crops are keen to assist farmers in other areas of SFI application, particularly SAM2 over-winter cover crops (tailored to increase following spring crop performance), IPM3 companion cropping and IPM4 “no use of insecticide” schemes. Winter Linseed and Canary Seed’s lack of pests are perfect for those applying to IPM4 schemes.
Two cover crops mixes were introduced, bespoke to soil type, as were companion crop options for Winter Linseed and HEAR/HOLL.
Cover crops sown in September saw delayed germination, but the mild winter allowed sufficient establishment.
The mixes are deliberately designed to avoid large biomass, ensuring the following crops can establish properly. Phacelia and buckwheat components scavenge nutrients and prevent leaching, while legumes like clover and vetch fix nitrogen in the soil aiding the next crop.
Given how much rain fell on fields over the Winter, having cover crops reduced soil erosion and kept living roots in the soil which is beneficial to soil health.
Business Initiatives and Partnerships
Premium Crops’ owner Cefetra continues to expand its move into more specialist areas with the formation of Cefetra Premium Oils (CPO). Through cooperation with CPO, Premium Crops has ventured into contract borage production. Borage is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which is utilised in the health supplement market. Borage is a 90-day crop that requires careful swathing due to its indeterminate nature. Premium Crops works closely with contractors to provide swathing services to growers for harvest. Bees are essential for borage pollination, and the honey they produce is a very distinctive and sought after. One farmer reported that 100 jars of honey were made from just one hive.
Cefetra launched CES (Cefetra Ecoservices) in partnership with Soil Capital, offering carbon payments to farmers. Unlike other schemes, CES allows farmers the flexibility to choose practices that best suit their farms, rather than following a prescribed program. Farms are benchmarked based on past practices and soil samples, giving them insights into how they can improve soils health and get rewarded for it.
Looking forward
During the Winter, trials results will be evaluated and any findings incorporated into agronomy advice which will help farmers improve crop performance.
The weather has been challenging, however, we look forward to starting a new season of Harvest 2025 and with it hope for better weather. ‘Hope springs eternal’ as the saying goes.
