Linseed offers alternative to barley this spring

GOOD prices and contracts mean linseed is a good replacement for barley this spring, say seed suppliers.

With the dramatic reduction of spring barley plantings, growers are missing an opportunity if they do not consider linseed as a viable spring cropping option, according to James Wallace of Daltons Seeds.

“Linseed could be one of the spring crops that actually makes some money. With available contract prices up around £275-£300/t, there is no reason for growers not to consider it.

“There are good returns to be had from a short growing period with fairly standard costs of production, and it’s also a good entry crop for wheat, restoring soils due to its deep rooting.”

Lower barley prices mean Nick Pratt is among the growers who have already decided to increase the acreage of linseed this spring on his farm near Downham Market, Norfolk.

“Within the rotation of wheat, barley, oilseed rape, winter beans and spring peas, there is a slot that is usually filled by spring barley, but with prices so poor this season I have decided to opt for linseed.”

A low maintenance crop, the linseed on Mr Pratt’s famr receives 55-60kg/ha nitrogen, a single application of herbicide such as metsulphuron and a dose of Folicur to deal with the threat of fusarium and botyritis.

“We are growing Kaolin, a variety recommended by Daltons, as this yields well, but more importantly has good standing ability with a rating of 8. I aim for 2.5t/ha, but am happy with anything around 1.8-2t/ha.”

Harvesting can be a nightmare, Mr Pratt acknlowledges. But key to a good crop is to get the crop sprayed off when it is still alive and ripe, rather than when it is already dry. Otherwise it can be like harvesting wire.

Mr Pratt will be growing under contract with Dalmark Grain. “We like working with Dalmark as they come and collect the crop as soon as it is harvested and this means that we do not have problems with storing it.”