Standards for Certified seed will be maintained this autumn despite the delayed, stop-start harvest, according to the Agricultural Industries Confederation. However, supplies may be limited so farmers need to finalise their plans as soon as possible.
After the wet 2012 summer, with record disease levels in combinable crops, seed merchants face serious challenges to process certified seed. However, the industry is committed to delivering seed to the standards required to successfully establish crops for harvest 2013.
“Professional seed growers are not opportunists,” says Paul Rooke, head of AIC’s seed sector. “They will have planned their production for over a year to take account of issues such as isolation, as well as having the facilities to correctly dry and separate the seed crop.
“Similarly, seed merchants processing seed to Certified standards will invest heavily in testing rigorously to Defra standards. They also have a comprehensive range of treatments available and operate to high standards, often overseen by treatment manufacturers, to ensure correct and even loading. Such treatments for winter cereals and oilseed rape will be vital to deal with the legacy of the past summer.”
Seed treatments can be used this autumn to alleviate the inevitable high work load. Used strategically, insecticides and fungicides can ease the pressure for autumn sprays.
“Crop establishment will be challenging and certified seed is an assured route to ensuring good establishment. This is not the season to rely on farm-saved seed without considerable investment in rigorous testing and first class processing.”
Producing certified seed from the 2012 harvest will be challenging, even for the professionals, given the tight turnaround times from a delayed harvest. However, an extra £50/t on Certified seed equates to no more than £1/t extra cost. Futures markets move more than that between trades.
However, AIC warns that maintaining strict processing standards will lead to reduced quantities being available.
“Farmers are urged to make decisions for this autumn’s sowing as soon as possible if they are to secure their preferred varieties,” says Mr Rooke.
