A minimum price guarantee and increasing global demand for the UK-bred Aber ryegrass varieties are amongst a raft of strong arguments in favour of growing herbage seeds, according to British Seed Houses seed production manager John Fairey.
Speaking at a recent meeting of the British Association of Seed Producers (BASP) Mr Fairey also highlighted reduced supply across Europe in 2008 and the impact of rising input costs on alternative break crops as reasons to reassess herbage seed as a cropping option this year.
"A number of key issues are combining at the moment to make both agricultural and amenity herbage seeds an increasingly attractive crop for many farmers in the UK," he said during a BASP visit to British Seed Houses' new facilities in Lincolnshire.
"Following a disappointing herbage seed harvest in 2007, we are now facing reduced acreages across Europe in 2008 as growers have responded to high cereal prices, so we are anticipating shortages. This will bolster herbage seed prices, and we are now offering a minimum price guarantee on some varieties.
In addition, we are continuing with our Wheat Tracker contract for the Aber High Sugar Grasses, so growers can be confident of their returns.
"With the costs of fertiliser, agrochemicals and diesel all rising, the lower input regime of a crop that yields for two or possibly three years is also significant."
British Seed Houses has exclusive worldwide marketing rights for the highly successful range of Aber ryegrass varieties bred at IBERS (formerly IGER), Aberystwyth. The varieties, which include the Aber High Sugar Grass range, are in high demand as livestock farmers seek to negate the impact of high feed and other input costs by growing higher quality forage.
Farmers in all parts of Great Britain interested in growing herbage seeds on contract are invited to contact John Fairey on 07747 784234.
