While some plant breeders are urging growers to consider ordering seed direct following last year’s changes to the UK sugar beet seed model, this approach might not suit all. CPM looks at both sides of the story.
“Growers have been given a greater level of freedom and we hope that they exercise that right.” IAN MUNNERY
By Janine Adamson
Following an announcement by NFU Sugar and British Sugar last summer which explained changes to the UK sugar beet seed model, growers can now access greater diversity and benefit from flexibility when it comes to varietal choice and ordering seed.
The notification detailed that having responded to feedback, growers and seed breeders are now “empowered to buy and sell seed direct, or via third party suppliers, as well as via the existing UK Seed Account operated by British Sugar.”
The reason behind the move? To allow earlier uptake of new genetics and increase choice for growers, the notice said.
And now, more than a year later, breeders hope growers will take full advantage of the broad range of material available, in readiness for the upcoming season. “Growers have been given a greater level of freedom and we hope that they exercise that right,” comments SESVanderHave’s Ian Munnery.
“It’s admittedly a new way of doing things compared with the old British Sugar UK Seed Account model, but should demonstrate there’s a host of benefits in going direct.”
From the SESVanderHave portfolio specifically, growers should recognise long-established varieties such as Magpie and Wren. There are also new top-performing varieties on the Recommended List – Antler, Gadwall, Hoopoe and Hilleshög’s Aslan, the latter which SESVanderHave is marketing.
With the recently announced 2026 contract price considerably below the previous two years, seed price and quality should come into sharp focus, says Ian. “It’s important to buy varieties and traits you actually require, achieved by selecting to suit the situation at hand.
“Equally, as breeders, we recognise the threats growers face on a daily basis and aim to breed new varieties accordingly. This is where on-farm trial data – supplemented by breeder trial data – is critical. This is how we ensure the latest material can be on-farm and making a difference, as quickly as possible.”
KWS has been instrumental in developing the changes to the UK sugar beet seed model and has worked closely with both British Sugar and the NFU during the past ten years to develop them, explains the firm’s sugar beet product manager, Martin Brown.
“We believe the changes implemented last year are positive for all involved in the industry, and should be considered against the challenges sugar beet growers will increasingly face in the future,” he says.
“Fundamentally, all seed breeders can now offer their own finished product to beet growers, with the majority of breeders also continuing to provide farmers the choice of Germains’ finished products.
“This is important as it supports competition, meaning more value to farmers, and most importantly, the opportunity to purchase a breeder’s variety with their own pellet technology ensures full accountability for the seed once it’s on farm.”
Martin says another significant factor is that growers can now buy varieties before they’ve been added to the BBRO Recommended List, enabling access to better varieties earlier. “Conversely, varieties which have come off the RL will also be available for one more year, extending farmers’ choice.
“Another beneficial outcome of the discussions is that seed purchase is decoupled from the beet contract, giving farmers freedom to purchase their seed at any point in the year,” he explains.
“So basically, sugar beet growers now have access to varieties up to a year earlier than before, have the flexibility to choose the latest technologies they require, and select who they buy their seed from independently of the beet contract they’re on.”
Ian highlights that as a result of the changes to the UK Seed Account model, SESVanderHave now manages all seed processing in-house. “This means we can offer high specifications for germination and monogermity while keeping seed costs down. Combined with our top-yielding varieties, this equates to a significant saving for growers.
“Ultimately, we’re a specialist sugar beet breeder – we want growers to continue to grow beet. By choosing to buy our varieties direct, farmers ensure they get the best genetics and the best quality for the UK’s sugar industry.”
While for KWS, a priority has been working constructively across the sector. “An important element of this has been to openly demonstrate the efficacy of the company’s genetics and associated technologies,” explains Martin.
“We were the first breeder to gain access for their own finished product into the market for 2020 drilling, following extensive trials and validation through the BBRO of our proprietary EPD seed preparation methods and seed coating components.
“We also launched Conviso Smart in 2020, which involved establishing a different route to market by working with a network of distributors where farmers can buy the technology package from.
“During the years, we’ve invested significant time and resources into establishing the principles of the new seed model, and believe strongly that it’ll deliver the best results if we work in genuine co-operation and cross-industry partnership,” stresses Martin.
He believes there’s a bigger picture – helping growers to achieve reliable high performance on farm, supplying consistent supplies of raw materials to industry, and delivering the quality consumers demand – which involves many players.
“It’s much more complicated than any one part of the debate, such as direct selling, and no one company has sole ownership of all the knowledge, technology and resources required to deliver the best integrated solution for sugar beet growers in the future.
“Our vision is very much to work with trusted, reliable partners and embrace all technology and knowledge. That’s why we still choose to sell classical KWS seed through British Sugar via the UK Seed Account – a relationship that has many benefits including getting products on-farm quickly and efficiently.”
According to Martin, it’s also worth bearing in mind that buying seed directly doesn’t necessarily mean a cheaper product, because the UK Seed Account is run on a not-for-profit basis. Equally, the new model may not necessarily deliver greater availability of specific varieties.
“There’s an overly simplistic view that growers can now get whatever seed they want, but that’s misleading. Just because you can buy seed differently doesn’t necessarily mean you’re always going to get what you want.
“That’s not down to the route to market, but simply because there’s only ever so much seed available and when it’s gone, it’s gone.
“All-in-all, we believe the NFU and British Sugar have considered and acted upon feedback from growers and others in the industry and we’re proud to have been an important player in making these changes happen.
“Working together to deliver more choice really is where we think the biggest gain from the new sugar beet supply model lies,” concludes Martin.
This article was taken from the latest issue of CPM. Read the article in full here.
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