Limagrain UK is delighted to announce new appointments to its technical and marketing teams.

Ron Granger, will take over as Arable Technical Manager from Michael Fletcher, who will retire at the end of July this year. Mr Granger who has been an integral member of the wheat breeding team for the last 25 years will take on his new role from the beginning of July 2013.

In his new position, Mr Granger will be responsible for the organisation and management of  all of Limagrain’s agronomy trials, engaging with growers, agronomists and other bodies involved in the supply chain from research through to end-use.

Mr Granger will also take responsibility for linking up the work between breeders, official trials, and third party trials and feeding this through to the relevant commercial personnel both within and outside of the company.

“I am very pleased to be taking on this vital role as my background in breeding gives me a real insight into making sure that Limagrain continues to make the best technical offer in our market place across all arable cropping areas.”

Laura Davey will take over as Marketing Services Manager for Limagrain UK with immediate effect. Miss Davey replaces Paul Lees who will take early retirement at the end of July 2013.

Miss Davey who is an experienced member of the Limagrain marketing team having been on the team for six years, will build on the platform set by Mr Lees to provide Limagrain customers with the most effective and innovative marketing support available in the industry across all of the Limagrain crops and brands, which includes not just arable crops, but also grass, game cover, environmental and fodder crops.

 â€œI am looking forward to the new challenges this role will bring. We have some really exciting new varieties coming through from our breeding programme and I’m pleased to take on a primary role in introducing and positioning them in the marketplace, as well as providing continued marketing support to our more mature established varieties.”

Although early days in the harvesting process, trials are reporting very positive yield results for the Limagrain UK candidate two-row feed barley varieties, Harlequin and Cadillac.                  

“We have now harvested nine out of the twelve official sites, and we are delighted to see that yields are returning to the levels that we saw back in 2011,” says Lee Robinson, sales and marketing director for Limagrain UK. 

“The mean yield over the nine sites for Harlequin is 108, followed by Cadillac at 106.” 

“These results are part of the official HGCA trials results, and will therefore feed into the recommendation process, giving these varieties a powerful chance of recommendation later this year.” 

“Harlequin has performed particularly well in the north. It is very early maturing variety (-2 days) so suits these conditions well. With its good specific weight 70kg/hl and a robust disease profile that offers a rating of 7 for mildew, (9) for yellow rust, and a rating of 6 for Rhynchosporium  and net blotch, this variety should continue to perfrom well in the recommendation process.” 

“Cadillac has shown a particular suitability for the west of the country and this is down in part to its robust resistance to wet weather diseases, the variety has a (7) for net blotch, and a 6 for Rhynchosporium. Cadillac also has a good specific weight 70.6kg/hl.” 

“To date lodging data is very limited but we don’t anticipate ratings of any less than 7.” 

Source: HGCA Candidate Varieties List 2013 

For a full set of trials results go to the HGCA website www.hgca.co.uk and for more information on these varieties log onto the Limagrain website at www.limagrain.co.uk

Speaking at a recent press briefing hosted by Limagrain UK on growing for the distilling market, Roger Baird of grain merchants, W.N Lindsay highlighted the current discrepancy between supply and demand for the distilling industry.

“This year there will be a million tonnes of wheat required for the distilling market; we are able to supply 600,000 tonnes of this from Scottish growers which means that we will need to look at importing the remaining 500,000 tonnes requirement.”

“Whilst some of this requirement can be shipped up from England, with the Vivergo plant now in action many growers south of the border will be looking to supply this market, so we could be faced with a serious shortfall.”

“The story is similar for barley; we have a requirement for 900,000 tonnes but insufficient supplies, which means that we are looking at imports from Europe.”

There is an opportunity however to meet some of this demand however by choosing to grow varieties that are consistent and higher yielding across seasons, was the message from breeders Limagrain.

“Spring barley varieties such as Odyssey and Overture have set new threshold levels for yield,” says Limagrain barley breeder, Mark Glew. 

“With the higher yields offered by these varieties – Odyssey yields 7% over the benchmark standard of Concerto and Overture 4% – it gives growers a real opportunity to increase supply volumes without necessarily increasing the hectarages they grow.”

“And we have seen these yields stand up to the challenges of the past two very different and challenging seasons, so we know that the varieties deliver consistently.”

“This success of performance is reflected by the considerable interest in these varieties across Europe, as growers set their sights on supplying the Scottish distilling market. Both Odyssey and Overture are grown across more than ten countries – from France to Kazakstan – in fact Odyssey is currently the second largest spring barley variety in Denmark.”

“With regards to their certification for brewing and distilling, we are confident that full approval will be reached. Currently, both varieties have completed CBMO testing. Odyssey has full approval for distilling and is in provisional 2 for brewing, Overture has provisional 2 for brewing and distilling.”

“It is important to recognise that all of the new varieties that are coming through on the recommended list have been rejected for distilling, so Odyssey and Overture really are the best options for growers who want to make the most of the opportunity to supply as much barley as possible to the distillers.”

Soft wheats are well suited for grain distilling, however according to Dr Steve Hoad of the SRUC, the best varieties for this market are those with a soft endosperm texture, high starch content and low nitrogen. “Distillers are looking for varieties with a medium rating for alcohol yield per tonne and should have low residue viscosity during processing.”

“Balanced against this growers want varieties that can deliver these quality distilling values but are also agronomically strong with stiff straw, early maturity, a low sprouting risk and robust disease resistance – in fact many varieties that have a ‘good’ rating for distilling are not grown because of agronomic weaknesses – such as late maturity or weak straw.”

Ron Granger of Limagrain is confident that varieties such as Horatio have shown a consistency of performance in terms of both yield and quality that will give growers confidence to grow for this market.

“Horatio was added to the 2012/13 HGCA Recommended List as the joint highest yielding soft milling wheat in treated trials. With Alchemy in its parentage, Horatio has similar quality grain characteristics.” 

“The variety performed well in the difficult conditions of last year, and we are confident that it will do so again at this harvest demonstrating our breeding focus on producing consistent varieties that farmers like to grow,” he says. 

“This quality high yielding performance has been recorded across several years, regions and rotations based on is sound agronomic make up – stiff straw, good Septoria resistance, and its suitability for a range of drilling dates from early through to late sowing.” 

“With a medium rating for distilling, Horatio meets the requirements of distillers and growers, so it’s a really good choice to consider for this autumn.”

Myerscough College near Preston in Lancashire has hosted an open day in conjunction with agronomy company Agrovista, showcasing their trial of maize under plastic versus open-sown maize. There were 22 varieties in the trial, and amongst those showing good early vigour and the ability to quickly break through the plastic was variety Ambition from seed breeder Limagrain. 

The trial aims to provide a true indication of the differences between open-sown maize and maize grown under plastic. All plots were drilled on the same first available sowing date, 24th April. 

Agronomist Nigel Walley from Agrovista explained: “There are only a limited number of varieties which we would recommend for growing under plastic. Certain varieties tend to creep along the ground and are unable to penetrate through the film. Others show severe stress after breaking through the plastic, negating the advantage it offers. 

“The trial is designed to assess the cost benefits of the different systems and the performance of the different varieties. Each variety is scored on its ability to penetrate through the plastic with minimum stress.” 

Mr Walley said: “Limagrain variety Ambition broke through the plastic very quickly and demonstrated good early vigour. Another which shows potential is new variety Emblem, it was included in the trials for the first time this year and is due on next year’s NIAB List.” 

The trials have also incorporated maize undersown with both hybrid ryegrasses and vetches to provide a forage crop overwintering option. The maize was undersown with the grass mixture once it had reached the eight leaf stage. In addition, undersowing also helps reduce soil erosion and significantly reduces the risk of nitrate run-off. 

Different herbicide programmes were also trialled to establish which will control weeds in the maize crop without killing the ryegrass or vetch. Mr Walley explained: “The results were promising, having another forage crop available after the maize, along with the environmental benefits of the undersowing, is a definite benefit and there will be further trials.” 

Mr Walley added: “Although both plots were harvested on the 9th October, the maize under plastic should have been harvested a fortnight earlier. The early varieties under plastic were well past their optimum harvest date. Quality results are not back yet, but the dry matter of the plant is estimated at well over 30%, with starch levels approaching 40%. 

“From previous trials we know that maize under plastic will have higher starch and dry matter yields than the same variety grown conventionally. In the open-sown plots we’ve seen mature cobs on plants which are still green, resulting in lower than expected dry matters, particularly with mid maturity varieties. It’s the same with most commercial crops, especially those harvested in early October.

 â€œPlastic film is often used as a management tool to bring crop maturity forward to allow early wheat drilling. But although there are extra costs in growing maize under plastic, for some growers it is a necessity, especially in marginal areas. Choosing the right variety is paramount, only by conducting extensive trials do we find what performs well and what doesn’t. 

“The correct choice of plastic film is also essential. Agrovista only advocates the use of Samco System film, however they have several grades available, some of which show significant advantages over others.”

For more details, growers can contact Nigel Walley at Agrovista on 07833 236515.

A new seed treatment called Headstart Gold is now being applied to all amenity grass seed mixtures in Limagrain’s MM and Designer ranges to help give them an even better start. This new seed coating is based on the original and successful Headstart treatment, and additionally includes four key minerals which give extra nutritional support to the seed in the critical start-up phase following germination.

Limagrain’s Matt Gresty explains: “Up until this year, all MM sports mixtures were treated with Headstart to boost germination and aid establishment. The formulation included a seaweed extract and biostimulants.

“The new Headstart Gold treatment contains the same beneficial factors as the original Headstart formulation and additionally includes four minerals: molybdenum, copper, sulphur and phosphorous. These enhance root formation, development and growth, thereby further speeding up germination and improving establishment rates.

All 2014 MM and Designer grass seed mixtures are now treated as standard with Headstart Gold.

For more information on the full range of Limagrain’s MM grass seed mixtures for sports pitches, golf courses, lawns and amenity turf, a new 2014 catalogue is now available. For a free copy, groundsmen can call Limagrain on 01472 371471 or email enquiries@limagrain.co.uk or visit www.limagrain.co.uk/mm. 

The new 2014 HiBird Gamecover and Environmental Crops guide is now available from Limagrain. It contains information on a range of gamecover and environmental stewardship crops, including sorghum, kale, sunflowers and maize, as well as a wide variety of cover crop mixtures. It also provides guidance on achieving good crop establishment.

The HiBird range includes a range of cover crop mixtures such as Setter, which provides two year full-season cover and feed, and is made up of kale, millets and buckwheat.

Mr Titley explains: “When several plant types are used in a cover crop mixture, it can be difficult to control weeds. However, following herbicide trials with BASF, Limagrain has developed a range of HiBird mixtures which are tolerant to specific herbicides so that gamekeepers can successfully establish weed-free good cover. For example, Cocker, which consists of Caledonian kale, mustard, fodder radish and linseed, is tolerant to Butisan herbicide, and provides full season cover for up to two years. Further mixtures are included in the guide.”

The guide also provide tips on growing a successful cover crop – from soil type and site selection, to seedbed and sowing methods, fertiliser recommendations and suggestions for weed, pest and disease control. Information is also included on which cover crops meet environmental stewardship requirements.

For a free copy of the HiBird Gamecover & Environmental Crops Guide, email Limagrain UK at: enquiries@limagrain.co.uk or visit www.limagrain.co.uk and watch the video ‘Choosing the Right Cover Crop for your Shoot’.

Groundsmen looking for low maintenance bedding options for parks, roundabouts and golf courses should try some of Limagrain UK’s Colour Splash range of decorative flower mixtures. These provide long-lasting low-cost colourful displays. Two flower mixtures which are proving especially popular are the Honey Bee Mixture and Biodiversity Mix – these include plants which attract pollinating insects and create a habitat for small wildlife.

The Colour Splash range consists of eight different flower mixtures which vary in height and colour. Some mixtures contain annual flowers, whilst others contain plant species which will last for several seasons. The seed mixtures are very easy to establish in the spring, and do not require any further maintenance, nor any fertiliser or pesticides through the season.

The new Honey Bee Mixture is ideal for landscaping use, and flowers from mid-June to mid-October. It contains nine annual plant varieties, selected for their ability to attract insects. It includes borage and cornflower, both recognised for being ‘bee-friendly’.

The Biodiversity Mix contains 15 different plant varieties, including lupin which ‘fixes’ atmospheric nitrogen back into the soil. The mixture contains annuals, bi-annuals and perennials, and so can last for several years. It creates a dense stand which provides shelter for small mammals, and the flowers attract butterflies and pollinating insects.

A new Colour Splash catalogue with information on the eight flower mixtures in the range is available from Limagrain UK by calling 01472 371471 or can be downloaded from www.limagrain.co.uk/amenity.

“Fodder beet’s high sugar levels and palatability make it a good choice for livestock,” says Mr Titley. “And its energy yields have also made it an attractive option as a feedstock for biogas production. However, energy yields can differ considerably between varieties.”

In Limagrain’s 2013 fodder beet trial, in which 14 commercial varieties were evaluated, the highest yielding variety was Blizzard, yielding 20.43 t/ha of dry matter. This was a tonne more of dry matter than Magnum and over 4 tonnes more than Feldherr.

Mr Titley adds:

“Taking into account the energy density of each variety and calculating the energy yield per hectare: Blizzard provided 11,700 MJ/ha more metabolisable energy than Magnum, and nearly 58,000 MJ/ha more than Feldherr.

“As well as energy potential, dirt tare is important – especially for AD plants as any soil contamination will upset the fermentation process.

“Sugar beet, and some fodder beet varieties with similar genetics, can be very ‘fangy’ and/or develop cracks when growing. Soil then becomes trapped on the beet, and is difficult to remove even with washing.

“Limagrain’s fodder beet programme has always concentrated on developing smooth-skinned beet without fangs, to reduce soil contamination in livestock rations. This attribute is now being appreciated by AD plant operators.”

“Blizzard has performed consistently well in trials over the years. It sits deeper in the ground than some, and so needs a sugar-beet harvester for lifting, and not a top-lifter. It has a higher DM content which makes it less prone to cracking in frost, and more winter hardy overall. Its smooth root gives it a low dirt tare.”

For more information on Blizzard, and the range of fodder beet varieties available from Limagrain, farmers can visit www.limagrain.co.uk to see a video tour of the trial site. Limagrain’s new A5 booklet on Forage Crops trial results can also be downloaded from the site, or is available for free by calling 01472 371471.

It compares the yields of different varieties of fodder beet, swede, kale, stubble turnips and forage rape. For example, kale variety Caledonian yielded 21% more Dry Matter than Maris Kestrel – equating to an extra 2t/ha.

The data in the booklet is compiled from over 10 years of fully replicated plot trials conducted at Limagrain’€™s Lincolnshire site, and also at the James Hutton Institute, near Dundee.

Limagrain’€™s Martin Titley adds:

“€œThere can be big differences in yields and consequent feed returns between older and newer varieties of forages. For instance, fodder beet variety Robbos has a Dry Matter yield of 18.4t/ha which is 1.2t/ha more than older variety Kyros, and swede variety Gowrie gives 2.7t/ha more than Ruta Otofte & that’s an 18% higher yield!”

“So whilst it might cost an extra few pounds per hectare to sow a newer variety, there can be at least an extra tonne of DM yield to be gained. Many of the newer varieties also have better disease resistance and forage quality than older ones.”

Limagrain’s forage trials booklet also contains information on each variety’€™s forage quality, disease resistance and physical features, e.g. height, shape. For each forage type, the establishment costs, feed values, sowing rates and fertiliser guidelines are also included.

For a free copy of the Forage Crops Trials Results booklet, farmers can email Limagrain at: enquiries@limagrain.co.uk or visit our Forage Crop Range.

Growing spring barley for distilling has proved a straightforward affair for Essex grower John Hare who moved away from malting types in 2011 in pursuit of greater financial returns.

Mr Hare farms on his own near Saffron Walden, Essex and employs a simple system based around winter wheat, spring beans, winter oats and spring barley.

After nearly 10 years of growing the variety Optic for malting he decided to switch to a higher yielding type and it was at this time that he began to consider growing for the distilling market.  Although he was confident of meeting the lower grain nitrogen limit of 1.65% he was conscious that his 400 acres of mainly London boulder clay could present some difficulties.

“The market for brewing malt has been in decline for many years while the distilling sector is booming driven by growing demand for Scotch whisky. I realised I would have to make the change at some point and with premiums in excess of that offered for malting types I thought ‘why wait?’,” he says.

Aware of the tighter specifications for distilling malt however, he gave it serious thought. “In 10 years of growing Optic I consistently achieved a grain nitrogen content of 1.7-1.8%, but after much consideration I came to the conclusion that with the right variety, a high seed rate drilled early and with nitrogen applied soon after I could achieve the 1.65% N limit without impacting yield,” he says.

His judgement proved correct. Led by Openfield barley trader Bob Bingley, Mr Hare plumped for Concerto, the favoured variety of distillers due to its high grain spirit yield bred by Limagrain.  Last spring his 26ha of Concerto was drilled between 2nd and 5th April – admittedly a little later than is considered ideal – and produced a respectable 6.9t/ha with an average grain nitrogen content of 1.62%.

With premiums over November futures currently heading for £30/tonne due to a decline in the planted area across much of Europe he plans to stick with Concerto.

According to Limagrain senior barley breeder Mark Glew if new distilling growers were to follow John Hare’s experience they too should find meeting the grain nitrogen specification relatively easy.

“Concerto is not a vigorous tiller so it is important to drill with a high seed rate otherwise the crop is unlikely to have the number of heads needed to dilute grain nitrogen. Growers should be aiming for about 800 heads/ sq. m heading in to harvest,” he says.

“If, as Mr Hare manages, growers can apply all the nitrogen in one application as soon as possible after drilling this will also help meet target grain N specification,” he adds.

Openfield arable technical manager David Leaper, who has spent recent months advising recently converted growers how best to manage the crop, agrees.

“Heavy land of the types that is commonplace across East Anglia is not what we might consider ideal ground for distilling barley, but by mimicking the practices of growers in Scotland we can produce low-nitrogen grain successfully.”

“In most cases a seed rate of 250-300 seeds/metre squared would be acceptable, but on heavier land growers are advised to push this up to 350-400 seeds/sq. m. Typical nitrogen applications of 100-120kg N/ha should then be applied soon after drilling, ideally within 72 hours,” he adds.

For Mr Hare, Concerto spring barley has proven to be a cheap crop to grow with most weeds taken out before cultivations with a single application of glyphosate. A high burden of wild oats and broadleaved weeds meant the crop received a further two herbicides in season while last year the crop received its first fungicide around mid-May and a second about five weeks later, around 26th June.

Dublin’s Aviva Stadium has seen a lot of action recently – with 190 hours of activity on the pitch since September, including three RBS 6 Nations rugby matches. Head groundsman Majella Smyth is seeing the benefits of a Desso pitch oversown with Limagrain’s MM60, a 100% ryegrass seed mixture. This combination is producing a fast playing pitch which has a very good recovery, essential for the short turnaround times imposed by a heavy schedule of games.

The Aviva Stadium was opened in May 2010, and replaced the Lansdowne Road stadium.

It has a seating capacity of 51,700 and hosts both rugby and soccer matches, and music concerts too.

As a measure of how much pressure the pitch is under, instead of counting the fixtures, Majella considers the hours of activity on the pitch – from the moment the players go out to warm up, and also including any concert bands that may go on during half-time intervals.

In 2013, the pitch clocked up 127 hours of activity time. But from September until mid March this year, a particularly busy schedule has added up to 190 hours of activity! 

The pitch benefits from under-soil heating, and uses harvested rainwater for irrigation. The stand is one continuous curvilinear shape which encloses all four sides of the stadium: lighting rigs are used to overcome the shadow, and encourage grass growth.

With the move to the new Aviva Stadium, and knowing it would have to support more than the average number of fixtures and training sessions, Majella studied carefully the different grass seed options available. He also took a look at some of the larger professional stadiums such as the Emirates, and in the end decided to follow them and seed with Limagrain’s MM60.

“We’ve not looked back since,” explains Majella. “The MM60 mixture has a very good recovery and stands up well to wear. Through the playing season, we overseed the whole pitch every month with 20g/m2, and in May we will strip the grass out and reseed again.”

Despite Majella’s good grounds management, there has been such a large amount of play that the pitch surface has had to be replaced twice in the past 4 years. However, last summer, Desso was installed, and then oversown with MM60. Majella says: “I’d wanted to make this change for some time, and the Desso has proven very successful – it makes for a faster game and the players love it.”

Ireland’s performance in the RBS 6 Nations would seem to support that. The Irish team played three of their matches at the Aviva Stadium, with clear wins each time. Ireland beat Scotland 28:6, Wales 26:3, and Italy 46:7!

The ability of the MM60 mixture to recover for the fast turnaround was put to the test as the first two of these major tournament games were played on 2 and 8 of February. In-between times, the pitch was used for a soccer training session and then a match. “The pitch stood up well to the pressure, and we were also fortunate with the weather,” admits Majella.

But Majella is not complacent. There’s always room for improvement,” he says. “And like its players, a pitch is only as good as its last game!” 

Spring barley plays an important role on WG & TA Manford’s mixed farm in Benenden, Kent as a key crop in the arable rotation and also as an important source of good quality straw for his calves.

Variety choice is critical to the success of the barley crop on Hinxden Farm as it is imperative that whatever variety grown is reliable and consistent. “We need to be confident that it will yield with the minimum of attention once it is in the ground, as we have to fit in the cropping with all the other priorities of a busy mixed farm,” says Mr Westacott.

“Westminster spring barley from Limagrain UK fits this requirement very well, we have grown the variety since its recommendation 8 years ago and true to its promises, the variety has never let us down , yielding on average around 7t/ha irrespective of the season.”

“Certain agronomic characteristics of Westminster mean it suits us well; it is stiff and long strawed, its has a wide drilling window giving us the flexibility we need for spring drilling, and whilst we aim to have the crop in the ground by mid-April at the latest last spring we did not drill until the 3rd May and we still had 7t/ha off it!”

The key to a successful spring barley crop for Mr Westacott is a good seed bed, seed rates are adjusted according to drilling date. “As the crop is being grown for feed we don’t have to worry about nitrogen so the seed bed gets a good dose of slurry from the farm, which is another good reason for growing the crop,  and this then be top dressed again once the tramlines are visible.”

“The crop gets one herbicide application and a single fungicide application, we don’t use a PGR and we have never had a problem with lodging yet; without a doubt the robust disease ratings mean that we don’t have to spend too much time or effort in the field when we have other demands on our time in the spring.”

“There are newer high yielding varieties available now but we have come to rely on Westminster as a consistent and reliable variety, with good agronomic characteristics, that allows it to fit well into our whole farm management programme.”