Tool makes it easier to select alternative crops

Seed supplier Premium Crops has launched a variety assessment tool to support growers considering alternative spring and autumn break crops.

Alternative crops can be used to extend rotations – or simple replace a single crop in an existing rotation. With different nutrient requirements and soil impacts, they are help  break the cycle of pests and diseases.

Premium Crops has also unveiled a range of grower contracts – with crop prices guaranteed at the time of seed purchase. It is also offering agronomic support to farmers.”

Seed varieties

Key varieties in the seed portfolio are represented alongside commercial controls to enable growers to cross-compare performance data with the latest AHDB Recommended and Descriptive Lists.

Variety assessment tables are available for HEAR (high erucic acid rapeseed) and HOLL (high oleic low linoleic) oilseed rape, plus winter and spring linseed, says Premium Crops marketing manager Nigel Padbury.

“With farmers dealing with the impact of climate change and the reductions in subsidies, every penny counts,” he says.

“Introducing alternative crops into the rotation can help with this while also benefiting soil health,” adds Mr Padbury.

Premium price

Many alternative crops sell for a premium, he says. “With additional varieties entering the trials every year, options to extend rotations continue to increase.”

“We believe our network of alternative crop trial sites around the country is unique among speciality arable suppliers. In addition to yield, data is collected on a range of important crop characteristics such as maturity, height, vigour and quality.

“We’ve had some truly incredible results from our variety trials and by enabling farmers to match variety characteristics to their particular farm conditions, the data means that our growers can optimise the returns they achieve from the contracts.”

For break crop variety details, please visit www.premiumcrops.com/variety-trials