Betaseed’s unique seed treatment Ultipro is designed to help sugar beet growers maximise their yields and profitability by improving the health and performance of their crops.

By protecting the seed and promoting early plant development, Ultipro can help growers establish a strong, healthy stand of sugar beets that can withstand environmental stresses and produce a high-quality crop. Ultipro has been independently tested for 3 years and is approved for use in the UK. It is available on the varieties; BTS SMART 9485 and BTS 1915.

The Limagrain UK portfolio of Betaseed varieties continues to offer a diverse range of varieties for individual growers’ consideration on the new RL 2024.

Find out more about our sugar beet portfolio here

Download the Betaseed Sugar Beet Variety Guide

The Limagrain UK portfolio of Betaseed varieties are proven to deliver successful performance, in trials and more importantly, on-farm.

Even in the recent erratic, testing seasons of drought and virus, BTS varieties have shown consistently high performance – delivering growers security in genetics.

As you will see from the enclosed BBRO Sugar Beet Recommended List for 2024, Betaseed varieties offer genetic diversity for a successful harvest;

BTS 1915 – continues to be the highest yielding variety in both treated and untreated trials, showing a resilience better than any other RL sugar beet variety.

BTS SMART 9485 – the first ALS herbicide tolerance variety from Betaseed, offering the highest yield potential for SMART CONVISO varieties, combined with improved disease and bolting resistance.

BTS 3020 – is an outstanding variety for the earlier and normal drilling situation with the lowest ESB figures available. It offers good yield combined with the highest sugar content and excellent disease resistance.

BTS 3610 – is one of only a few varieties that have achieved a NSB count of 0 over the 3-year data set – critical if bolting is a key consideration on your farm and offering robustness for earlier drilling.

INTRODUCING ULTIPRO SEED TREATMENT TECHNOLOGY

Betaseed’s unique seed treatment Ultipro is designed to help sugar beet growers maximise their yields and profitability by improving the health and performance of their crops. By protecting the seed and promoting early plant development, Ultipro can help growers establish a strong, healthy stand of sugar beets that can withstand environmental stresses and produce a high-quality crop. Ultipro has been independently tested for 3 years and is approved for use in the UK. It is available on the varieties; BTS SMART 9485 and BTS 1915.

The Limagrain UK portfolio of Betaseed varieties continues to offer a diverse range of varieties for individual growers’ consideration on the new RL 2024.

Find out more about our sugar beet portfolio here

Download the Betaseed Sugar Beet Variety Guide

Sugar beet plays an important part in the rotation because it provides consistent yields and is a genuine break crop, according to fourth generation farmer Peter Mahony, of R&D Mahony.

“We grow sugar beet because it is a spring-sown crop that contributes to weed control, particularly black grass, which can be problematic as our soils are mainly heavy clay which predisposes them to the weed.”

Mr Mahony’s variety of choice over the past three years has been BTS 1915, which he likes because it ‘ticks the box on consistent yield’. He has also grown BTS 1140 and BTS 3610.

“BTS 1915 fits well with our system despite the variety being susceptible to bolting, as we are growing the crop in heavy soils, so we do not usually drill until the second half of March.”

The Bury St Edmunds-based farm has been growing sugar beet since the mid-1960s, so there is plenty of crop management experience behind decisions, although Peter emphasises that every spring brings different challenges.

Sugar beet usually follows winter wheat and Peter’s strategy is to plough in the autumn, burn off volunteers with glyphosate, repeat this again in the spring and create a nice seedbed with good tilth.

His five-year average yield is 73t/ha, he reveals, remarking that this is a good result given the heavy soils the crop is grown in. However, last year, yields were lower due to the drought and beet moth issues.

“Whilst we have a had a few dry springs, this year we are also coping with March and April being unreasonably cold and very wet.

“But we have to work with what we are given, and beet drilling was split with 7ha drilled on the 5th April and the remainder 18-19th April.

“We planted into very wet seedbeds, so we kept drilling depths shallow to conserve the tilth on the top.”

By the third week of May the crops were at the four to eight-leaf stage, and looking very healthy.

Peter goes on to share some of his ‘secrets’ of how he addresses some of the inherent challenges to get the most from sugar beet crops on his land.

“We find that quite often it can be too hot in the day to apply herbicides, so we prefer to go in the evening.

“If the machinery has been used for spraying cereals, we make sure it is given a good clean before it goes into sugar beet to prevent contamination.”

He has also adjusted his fertiliser strategy for sugar beet, to ensure the best results.

“When the crop emerges we like to apply 80kg/N/ha to give it a good push. However, although we use liquid N on the other crops in the rotation, it can cause scorch on sugar beet and also interfere with herbicide efficacy.

“As a result, we buy solid fertiliser especially for the sugar beet, which, as it is bought in small quantities, is expensive, but the end result is worth it.”

Lifting sugar beet can cause soil compaction which needs remedial work before the next crop goes in and Peter points out that the harvester, which weighs 40t, plus the tractor and trailer are all on the field at the wrong time of year.

“We normally try to have just two or three lifts, and then go into spring barley.”

“However, last year we managed to lift in mid-October, which worked well.”

One of the reasons behind this early lifting was because there was an attack of beet moth; last year also saw challenges from heat, drought and aphids.

“With BTS varieties, and particularly BTS 1915, we are able to achieve consistent yields. This means we know what we are going to get, even when prices are not so good.

“However, as we are now changing our tillage strategy, and will be using a Claydon drill, we will have to evaluate where – and whether – sugar beet will sit with the new regime.”

Farm facts:

Home farm: 133ha (330 acres)
Contract farm: 81ha (200 acres)
Soil: Heavy clay
Current rotation: Winter barley, winter wheat, beans, sugar beet, spring barley

Highest yields for third year running

The highest yielding variety on the Recommended List, BTS 1915 keeps its lead for the third year running at 103.9%.

“BTS 1915 is once again showing its ability to hold onto its exceptional yields across a range of locations and situations.”

“The consistency of performance of BTS 1915 is quite remarkable, and should give growers the reassurance that they are looking for when considering what variety to grow this year.”

“This significant yield advantage over any other variety on the RL – and also as the highest yielding variety in untreated trials at 106.5%, really proves the quality of the genetics behind the variety,” says Mr Granger.

BTS 1915 is not just about high yields however, he continues. “We recognise that varieties also need to establish well, have good bolting tolerance and robust disease resistance to succeed.”

BTS 1915 does have a good disease resistance profile but is not a variety to be considered for the early drilling situation as indicated by the red X (unsuitable for sowing before mid March), points out Mr Granger.

“We recommend the variety for the normal to late sowing period – mid March onwards, which for the majority of growers is the mean average drilling date on farm. ”

BTS 1915 Facts

• Bred by Betaseed, the Limagrain UK portfolio offers varieties to suit a range of situations and requirements:
• BTS 1915 – The highest yielding variety available
• Suitable for sowing Mid March onwards
• Good disease resistance

Find out more about our sugar beet portfolio here

Download the Betaseed Sugar Beet Variety Guide

The Limagrain UK portfolio of Betaseed varieties continues to offer a diverse range of varieties for individual growers consideration on the new RL 2024.

Betaseed varieties are proven both in trials and more importantly, with consistent on farm performance and are now a recognised force in the UK sugar beet cropping sector.

Betaseed varieties have shown a consistency of performance over very erratic, testing seasons of drought and virus – delivering growers security in genetics.

On top of the unique varieties of Betaseed, we support your success with our newly approved proprietary seed treatment technology Ultipro. Ultipro has been independently tested for 3 years in comparison with the UK market standard. The portfolio offers a range of varieties suitable for the key demands of the individual farmers requirements – yield / sugar % / disease resistance / bolting tolerance and now ALS herbicide resistance. Betaseed´s Ultipro seed technology is available in all major sugar beet growing areas, securing productive sugar beet growing.

Betaseed’s unique Seed Treatment Ultipro is designed to help sugar beet growers maximise their yields and profitability by improving the health and performance of their crops. By protecting the seed and promoting early plant development, Ultipro can help growers establish a strong, healthy stand of sugar beets that can withstand environmental stresses and produce a high-quality crop.

Security in genetics

The graph below shows the yield as adjusted tonnes against rust ratings.

It shows that along with yield, Betaseed varieties deliver some of the best rust resistance available. The level of rust resistance is important in a variety especially for growers looking to minimise fungicide input, when a late lifting philosophy is adopted on farm to maximise full yield potential.

This attribute of good rust resistance combined with additional disease resistance for Powdery Mildew and Cercospora, high sugar content and bolting figures at both ESB and NSB will determine both variety drilling date and also lifting date, in many situations. Security in genetics is now a more recognised characteristic than just high yield for most arable crop production systems across the UK.

Find out more about our sugar beet portfolio here

Download the Betaseed Sugar Beet Variety Guide

BTS SMART 9485 is the first ALS herbicide tolerance variety from Betaseed, offering the highest yield potential for SMART CONVISO varieties, combined with improved disease and bolting resistance. Here’s all you need to know about BTS Smart varieties.

Key facts about BTS Smart varieties

BTS SMART sugar beet varieties have a genetic tolerance to work successfully together with the CONVISO® ONE herbicide.

CONVISO® ONE offers a combined efficacy against monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds.

CONVISO® SMART sugar beets do not show yield loss caused by phytotoxicity when using CONVISO® ONE.

Effective elimination of conventional weed beets.

Sowing BTS Smart seed

Clean your seed drill thoroughly before sowing BTS SMART seed. Classic varieties sown in a CONVISO® SMART crop will not withstand the CONVISO® ONE herbicide.

Keep BTS SMART seed separate from classic sugar beet seed to avoid any mixing! CAUTION: It is extremely important not to mix BTS SMART seed with classic sugar beet seed at any time. Classic sugar beets will die off if treated with CONVISO® ONE.

TIPS FOR CLEANING THE SOWING MACHINE PROPERLY:

Use a vacuum cleaner to empty the planting unit

Rotate sowing disc until it is completely empty

WEED RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT

Use CONVISO® ONE according to the weed resistance management guidelines.

Use the recommended full dose rate.

Add an adjuvant to strengthen the efficacy if required.

Respect the appropriate recommended growth stage of weeds for application.

Sequence CONVISO® ONE application with non-ALS herbicides when required.

Consider a non-selective herbicide as a preceeding treatment after allowing emergence of weeds.

Always investigate the reasons for lower levels of efficacy control.

Make use of good agricultural practice to ensure good weed resistance management.

Use measures of integrated weed management(cultural, mechanical and chemical control).

Use cover crops if possible to reduce weed pressure.

Respect the crop rotation.

Rotate different herbicide mode of action in the crop rotation.

Use at least once in a 3-year crop rotation a pre-emergence / early post-emergence non-ALS
inhibiting herbicide.

If resistance is suspected, consult with a BASIS qualified advisor and use alternative herbicides.

For more info on Conviso® One, download our full guide brochure.

The Conviso Smart Brochure covers;

• Conviso® One key facts
• Timings
• Effective weed control
• Weed resistance situations
• Handling
• Sprayer preparation
• Visible effects, bolters, crop rotations
• Info for groundkeepers

Matt Shand has been appointed to the role of Commercial Manager for Limagrain UK. This new opportunity will see him developing and implementing the UK commercial strategy for the seed business, whilst also leading the UK sales team.

Limagrain is a fast growing, farmer-owned international co-operative group, specialising in both agricultural and horticultural seeds, as well as cereal products. As the fourth largest plant breeder and seeds marketing company in the world, it employs 10,000 people with a turnover of more than 2.5 billion euros annually.

Mr Shand brings a wealth of experience to the position; he began his career in the seed industry at Woodhead Seeds in Yorkshire, before joining Limagrain as sales manager in 2016.

He believes that through its unique UK dedicated plant breeding and research teams, Limagrain is best placed of all the plant breeders to recognise and respond to many current UK crop production challenges.  

“Limagrain is at the forefront of bringing varieties to market that offer increased yields, stronger agronomic characteristics and better disease resistance, whilst end-users also benefit from added value, improved quality, productivity and processability.”

“The success of this approach is reflected in the number of varieties sitting at the top of the current AHDB Recommended List. Without a doubt it’s an exciting time for the business and I am very much looking forward to being a key part of the team taking this forward,” he says.

Two brand new sugar beet varieties have been added to the BBRO 2022 Recommended List, whilst the highest yielding variety on the RL, BTS 1915, keeps its lead for the second year running, at 107.3%.

BTS 5770 has one of the best disease resistance packages available, along with a high sugar content.

BTS 3020 offers high yields and excellent bolting resistance as an earlier sowing option. Ron Granger shares his views on what the new varieties bring to sugar beet growers for the coming season. BTS 5770 offers high yields at 101.5% and flexibility in drilling date, showing excellent Early Sown Bolters (ESB) and Normal Sown Bolters (NSB) characteristics. BTS 5770 has a very robust disease resistance profile; with an 8.1 rating for rust, 5.2 for powdery mildew and limited data from both Betaseed and RL trials, suggest it has better than average Cercospora resistance. BTS 3020 joins the RL as the early bird variety, having consistently delivered 3 years of very low counts in the early sowing period before the 5th of March, including data from 2020, which was a higher year for bolting.

BTS 3020 has high adjusted tonne yields of 102.2%, is the third highest yielding variety on the RL, and offers a very good disease resistance package with a rating of (7.5) for rust and 4.6 for powdery mildew. Both varieties are Rhizomania resistant.

BTS 1915 keeps its lead as the highest yielding variety on the RL, for the second year running, at 107.3%. This significant yield advantage of 4.6% over any other variety on the RL – and also as the highest yielding variety in untreated trials at 108.4%, really proves the quality of the genetics behind the variety.

Limagrain UK has added two exciting sugar beet varieties to the BBRO 2023 Recommended List. These two very different varieties reflect the breadth of the Betaseed breeding approach of producing varieties that today’s growers are looking for, offering good security for on-farm performance.

BTS 3610 offers one of the best all round packages for delivering on-farm performance through a combination of a competitive yield, a high sugar content and good disease resistance.

BTS SMART 9485 is the highest yielding ALS herbicide resistant variety – a step up over current ALS genetics.

“Whilst BTS 3610 sits in the pack for top yielders at 101.6% (adjusted tonnes %), and has one of the highest sugar contents of 17.3%, this variety is about more than just yields,” says Ron Granger, arable technical manager for Limagrain UK.

“We know that growers are increasingly looking for on-farm security in the varieties they choose to grow, and to offer this a variety must have the right combination of agronomics and a robust disease resistance profile.”

With BTS 3610, this is exactly what is on offer; BTS 3610 has a very good disease resistance package with a rating of 5.9 for rust, 5.3 for powdery mildew and a 6.6 for Cercospora.”

“This robust disease resistance package is backed up by its high untreated yield of 101.2% in trials – demonstrating breeders focus on producing more resilient varieties for the market place.”

BTS 3610 has a flexible drilling window, suitable for both the earlier and normal drilling dates and is Rhizomania tolerant.

In summary, BTS 3610 is a desirable all-round performer, says Mr Granger. “A high yielding and high sugar producing variety combined with favourable agronomic characteristics, such as low bolting and good disease resistance.”

BTS Smart 9485 is Betaseed’s first Smart herbicide resistant variety and is the highest yielding variety in this specialist category.

“Its yields of 96% are very encouraging for an ALS resistant variety where there has been a bit of yield lag to date, and reflects an improvement over current ALS genetics, which will be welcome news for growers in this category,” says Mr Granger.

“It has solid on-farm characteristics with good bolting resistance. When sown in the early drilled slot before 5th March, it has 2,327 bolters and 0 in the normal sowing slot.”

“BTS Smart 9485 also offers a good disease resistance profile with a 4.9 for rust, 5.9 for powdery mildew and 6 for Cercospora. Again, an improvement over previous varieties that were on the List last season in this category,” he says.

In summary, BTS Smart 9485 raises the yield performance of ALS herbicide resistant varieties, along with the desirable characters of low bolting and good disease resistance.

Highest yields for third year running
The highest yielding variety on the Recommended List, BTS 1915 keeps its lead for the third year running at 107.1%.

“BTS 1915 is once again showing its ability to hold onto its exceptional yields across a range of locations and situations.”

“The consistency of performance of BTS 1915 over 5 years is quite remarkable, and should give growers the reassurance that they are looking for when considering what variety to grow this year.”

“This significant yield advantage over any other variety on the RL – and also as the highest yielding variety in untreated trials at 106.5%, really proves the quality of the genetics behind the variety,” says Mr Granger.

BTS 1915 is not just about high yields however, he continues. “We recognise that varieties also need to establish well, have good bolting tolerance and robust disease resistance to succeed.”

BTS 1915 does have a good disease resistance profile but is not a variety to be considered for the early drilling situation as indicated by the red X (unsuitable for sowing before mid March), points out Mr Granger.

“We recommend the variety for the normal to late sowing period – mid March onwards, which for the majority of growers is the mean average drilling date on farm. ”

BTS 5770 has one of the best disease resistance packages available along with high sugar content. BTS 3020 offers high yield and excellent bolting resistance as an earlier sowing option.

“Sitting amongst the pack for highest yields (101.5%), BTS 5770 offers flexibility in drilling, showing excellent Early Sown Bolters (ESB) and Normal Sown Bolters (NSB) characteristics,” says Ron Granger, arable technical  manager for Limagrain UK.

“BTS 5770’s robust disease resistance profile illustrates how sugar beet breeders are raising the bar when it comes to breeding for disease resistance,” he points out.

“The variety has an 8.1 rating for rust, 5.2 for powdery mildew and the available, limited data from both Betaseed trials and the Recommended List trials, suggests it has better than average Cercospora resistance.”

BTS 3020 joins the Recommended List as the early bird variety within the Limagrain portfolio having consistently delivered 3 years of very low counts in the early sowing period before the 5th of March.

“This result has been consistent over the last three years, including data from 2020, which we know was a higher year for bolting.”

“BTS 3020 has high adjusted tonne yields of 102.2%, the third highest yielding variety on the RL, and again also offers a very good disease resistance package with a rating of (7.5) for rust and 4.6 powdery mildew,” says Mr Granger.

Both varieties are Rhizomania resistant.

Highest yields for second year running
The highest yielding variety on the Recommended List, BTS 1915 keeps its lead for the second year running at 107.3%.

“Despite the difficulties of the 2020 season and the yields impacted as a consequence of virus yellows, BTS 1915 held onto its exceptional yields across a range of locations and situations.” 

“This significant yield advantage of 4.6% over any other variety on the RL – and also as the highest yielding variety in untreated trials at 108.4%, really proves the quality of the genetics behind the variety,” says Mr Granger.

“The consistency of performance of BTS 1915 over 4 years is quite remarkable, and should give growers the reassurance that they are looking for when considering what variety to grow this year.”

BTS 1915 is not just about high yields however, he continues. “We recognise that varieties also need to establish well, have good bolting tolerance and robust disease resistances to succeed.”

BTS 1915 is not a variety to be considered for the early drilling situation as indicated by the red X (unsuitable for sowing before mid March), points out Mr Granger.

“We recommend the variety for the normal to late sowing period – mid March onwards, which for the majority of growers is the mean average drilling date on farm. ”

BTS 1140 is the more established variety of the portfolio and remains a very competitive package that has demonstrated its resilience on farm across some very testing seasons.

BTS 1140 has a high adjusted tonnes yield (100%) combined with acceptable disease and good sugar content.

“This, backed up by its consistency of performance over seasons, is why it has become a leading variety popular with many growers for the normal to later sowing period.”

BTS 4100 also remains on the RL and continues to have the highest sugar content available, an important consideration for some growers. The variety also has low ESB bolting figures and is suitable for the earlier drilling scenario.

Responsible for the agronomy of 13,000 ha’s of arable cropping across three sites in Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, Ben points out that on the Lincolnshire farms sugar beet remains a key break crop adding much needed diversity to the rotation.

High yields, sugar content and good all-round agronomics such as bolting resistance and robust disease resistance, are important for a variety to be successful on farm; it’s the combination of characteristics that really matters,” he acknowledges.

“Last year we grew BTS 1140 and BTS 3325 both which meet these criteria, and considering the difficulties with getting the crop out of the ground, we were very pleased with the yields. Our average adjusted yield was 87- 96t/ha across the sites, giving us an overall average of 93t/ha.”

Drilling Sugar Beet

“We aim to get the beet drilled by the end of March; drilling starts as soon as conditions and soil temperatures are favourable from the beginning of March. It’s really important to plant varieties according to their most appropriate drilling date; so we always grow several varieties at one time.”

“Varieties more suited to the early slot such as BTS 3325 are drilled first, and we then move onto varieties such as BTS 1140, which are better suited for the normal drilling slot from mid-March onwards.”

Ron Granger, Limagrain’s sugar beet product manager agrees with Ben’s approach, pointing out that whilst yield and sugar content are the top criteria for choosing a new sugar beet variety, factors such as establishment and bolting tolerance are also very important – particularly when deciding which variety is best suited for a certain situation.

Ron notes that sugar beet breeding is in the fortunate position where breeders are still able to push yields without compromising the sugar content – and this is at a time when many other arable crop yields have plateaued.

“This is why growers are able to access varieties such as BTS 1140 that are high yielding but also offer  a high sugar content.”

“Based on this, BTS 1140 continues to be one of the leading tried and tested varieties on the 2020-2021 BBRO recommended List, and there is no reason to think that this will change, due to its proven performance on farm.”

“Its reliability of performance along with good foliar disease tolerance for rust and powdery mildew, as well as excellent downy mildew resistance, make it an all-round favourite.”

Getting sugar beet up and away

Cultivations for sugar beet at Dyson Beeswax are focussed around ploughing in early autumn, leaving the soils to weather over the winter, followed in the spring, by one pass with the cultivator in front of the drill.

“The sugar beet is drilled at 1.2 units/ha which working on 80% establishment gives us about 100,000 plants, depending on the field or site.”

Ben’s aim is to get the sugar beet established and up to the 12 leaf stage as soon as possible, as this gives it the best chance against flea beetle and virus yellows damage.

“So early nutrition is important,” he says. “This spring as the soils were wetter and colder, at establishment we applied phosphate in the form of DAP into the seedbed, promoting crucial early root and shoot development.”

Sugar Beet at Dyson Beeswax Farming

“We also keep a keen eye on trace elements, topping up whatever is deficient,” he points out.

“So far we have not seen too many aphids but will obviously continue to monitor this – we want to avoid spraying if we can. At least we have the fall back of Biscaya or Tepeki if we need.”

“We have found organic manures applied in the late summer to autumn are important to help make the soils more resilient, which definitely paidoff in last year’s very wet conditions,” explains Ben.

“We trialled a third of our crop using just digestate last year, so no manufactured fertiliser was used,  instead opting for a mixture of home produced solid and liquid digestate, applied pre-drilling in the seedbed.”

“The digestate is high in potassium, which is needed by the sugar beet, so it’s a perfect solution. Yield results from this crop were very good averaging 96t/ha.”

“There’s no doubt the condition of the soil has a big influence on late season campaigning, he adds. “In the right conditions, crops can put on a lot of yield in late season if you have the resilience in the soil to manage later lifting, then you can take advantage of this, and I think we certainly saw the benefits of this, this year with the later lifting of some crops,  he adds.

“Looking ahead we shall have to see what happens with pricing of course, we are trying some new varieties, BTS 4100, Kortessa and Advena, as well as sticking with BTS 1140 and BTS 3325.”

We also have the challenges of loss of chemistry to contend with; it’s going to be difficult to find an effective replacement with the loss of desmedipham for weed control.”

Yielding a massive 5% more than any other variety on the 2021 BBRO Recommended List, BTS 1915 leads the pack, with an adjusted tonne yield of 108.1% and a high sugar content of 17.7%.

Bred by Betaseed and marketed by Limagrain UK, BTS 1915 leads the Recommended List by a considerable amount – 5% over any other variety – and this is exceptional. Next on the list is KWS Evalotta yielding 103%, followed by last year’s list topper KWS Kortessa at 101.9%, so it’s clear to see the exceptional yield increase brought by BTS 1915,” explains Ron Granger, sugar beet product manager for Limagrain.

“We normally expect to see year on year yield advances of 1-2% in yields – so BTS 1915 is something quite special – and this is at a time when many other arable crop yields have plateaued.”

“Nor is it a one year wonder performance” he adds. “These extremely high yields have been consistent over the last three years that the variety has been in trials – so we are confident in the variety’s ability to perform in different seasons and situations.”

“We are also in the fortunate position where sugar beet breeders are still able to push yields without compromising the sugar content – and this is reflected in BTS1915 with its very acceptable sugar percentage of 17.7.”

Nor is it all about the yields, he continues. “BTS 1915 has excellent agronomic characteristics that make it a very useful variety on-farm. We recognise that varieties also need to establish well, have good bolting tolerance and robust disease resistances to succeed.”

“However when BTS 1915 is sown in  the normal sowing window from mid-March onwards, it has shown an excellent bolting tolerance, recording no bolters. This result has been consistent over the last three years, including data from 2019, which we know was a high year for bolting.”

“However, it should be recognised that when BTS 1915 is sown early, the variety might show excessive botling as the Early Sown Bolter trials, conducted as part of the Recommended List trial series demonstrate. “

“The variety has the highest brown rust disease resistance rating on the Recommended List of 8.7 , thus making it the first choice for late lifting where brown rust is potentially the key disease to control.”

Bolting resistance is key for sugar beet grower, Andy Cooper of North Norfolk and last campaign he turned to Betaseed’s BTS 3325, for early drilling.

Managing 730ha of tenanted land on the Sandringham Estate, north east of Kings Lynn, Mr Cooper typically grows three varieties across his 160ha beet area in early, mid and late-drilled slots. Strube variety, Haydn has taken the early slot into the farm’s sandy loams over chalk in recent seasons, with the variety having the lowest bolter numbers on the BBRO Recommended List when sown on or before 5th March.

However, Mr Cooper replaced Haydn with BTS 3325 for the 2018-19 campaign as it offered suitability for early drilling, plus higher yield and improved disease resistance. In 2018, the farm received half of its annual rainfall between January and March, so drilling was delayed until April and its bolting resistance was not tested, after conditions quickly turned hot and dry post-drilling.

Andy Cooper, Norfolk Farmer

However, Mr Cooper was pleased with the performance of the variety in its first year, despite the delayed establishment, giving an adjusted yield of 80t/ha from a late-November lift.

High-yielding sugar beet variety finds favour in Lincs

Lincolnshire sugar beet grower, Charles Roe has opted for variety BTS 1140 this year, lured by the potential for 7% higher yield over two of last year’s picks. Overseeing 243ha near Horncastle with his father, John, Mr Roe has grown sugar beet for many years on the farm’s mostly sandy clay loams but took a break for a decade, due to increasing levels of weed beet.

Charles Roe, Lincolnshire Farmer

The crop returned to the rotation for the 2018-19 campaign and he opted to split his 30ha area between three varieties; Betaseed’s BTS 3325, Haydn and Firefly. With individual varieties outclassed relatively quickly as the remarkable improvement in sugar beet yield potential continues, the farm opted to revise its variety line-up this year. Mr Roe believes yield is king when selecting a sugar beet variety and at 104.9% of mean adjusted tonnes, BTS 1140 offers a massive 7% increase over BBRO Recommended List control varieties; Haydn and Firefly, which it has now replaced. “When you are looking at Recommended Lists, I can’t get excited about one or two per cent, but anything over 5%, I see as significant and that’s why we went with BTS 1140 this year,” he explains.

Limagrain UK 2020 UK beet crop varieties

BTS 3325
Has good early sown bolting tolerance, outyielding many of the traditional varieties in this early drilling slot. It has a very high sugar content and good overall disease resistance.

BTS 1140
Offers a significant yield advantage over many varieties on the new BBRO Recommended List. It offers a high sugar content, combined with good foliar disease tolerance.

BTS 4100
Joins the 2020 BBRO Recommended List with the highest sugar content of any sugar beet variety. It has high yields and low bolting counts at early sowing.