While growers of winter beans last year saw yields and margins plummet, spring crops were far more resilient and today’s values for human consumption grade have escalated to £250/tonne in the last few weeks.
Overall, bean production is down 200,000 tonnes from its peak. With plantings of winter beans for 2012 drastically reduced there is a real opportunity for growing spring crops to meet both the UK market for feed quality and export for human consumption, contends Phillip Wynn, director of Wynn Business Partnerships.

"Markets and premiums remain favourable looking ahead to 2012 harvest with base feed values for both peas and beans today at £182/t for November. Premiums for human consumption beans mainly destined for Egypt with an annual market of c. 300,000 tonnes are trading at £20-30/t but will be subject to supply/demand factors post-harvest."
"Pea premiums depend very much on variety but for best quality Kabuki marrowfats values will be c. £275/t. So across the board premiums for good quality pulses have moved up to a higher level," he says.
So why choose spring pulses this spring? Mr Wynn continues: "Perhaps trimming back sugar beet areas after a successful 2011 campaign or as a risk management strategy to reduce the spring cereal area. With the cost of nitrogen continuing to stay firm the 40-50 kg/ha of residual nitrogen is now worth between £30 and £37/hectare to the following wheat crop."
"Quality remains key in achieving good returns though and unless soil structure is in excellent condition don’t grow peas. Spring beans are a lower risk but you can’t have soil compaction to achieve this level of returns – so minimise cultivations and chose timing of establishment very carefully."
"Once crops are drilled, herbicide choice becomes a critical decision. Rate flexibility and residual activity are important considerations depending on weed spectrum, growth stage, soil conditions, and moisture levels," adds Jonathan Ball, pulse product manager for BASF.
"A pre-emergence application of a product such as Nirvana that can be used across all pulses can be adjusted to suit expected weed populations, meaning that product is well targeted. For example, on combining peas and field beans, a rate of 4.5l/ha Nirvana offers a one shot solution for moderate to high weed populations controlling the germination of weeds such as black bindweed, poppy, fat hen, charlock and knotgrass."
"However, for low to moderate weed populations a lower rate of 3l/ha is sufficient. For vining peas, dose rate can be matched to soil type ranging from 2.5-3.5l/ha – although a follow up post emergence spray may be required in some situations. Nirvana can also be considered as a tank mix partner for more difficult weeds."