Nine new sugar beet varieties highlight the importance of plant breeding

The BBRO announced the 2023 sugar beet Recommended List in April. With nine new varieties added to the list and four varieties withdrawn, the 2023 list comprises 22 varieties.

In yield order, the new additions are Harryetta KWS and Annatina KWS (both from KWS), BTS3610 (Limagrain), Morgan (Strube UK), Stewart (Strube UK), Tawny (SesVanderHave), Adder (SesVanderHave), Button (Strube UK) and BTS Smart 9485 (Limagrain).

Button and Harryetta KWS (the second highest yielding variety on the list) are tolerant to BCN, whilst BTS Smart 9485 is tolerant to ALS herbicides, although it’s worth noting the claims for these three tolerances are based on breeders’ data as these characteristics are not tested in the RL trials.

Morgan, Tawny and Adder are not recommended for early sowing (before mid-March), but have shown low bolting characteristics when sown after that date in the last three years of RL trials. Annatina KWS, BTS3610, Button and BTS Smart 9485 produced no bolters in those three years of normal sown RL trials.

“Fortunately, the 2021 trial season was an improvement compared to 2020 and aphids were not a serious problem in the trials,” commented Mike May (pictured), chairman of the RL Board. “The yield of the control varieties in 2021 was 112.0 adjusted tonnes per hectare compared to 105.8 in 2020. The weather after drilling led to varying emergence and two trials were lost because of uneven stands. The number of bolters from early sown trials was higher than in 2020 but lower than 2019 whilst the normal sown trials (drilled after mid March) had similar or lower bolting than the previous two years. The autumn weather was generally good, but it was still wet at times so a careful watch was required to ensure trials were harvested under

good conditions. Once again all credit must go to the harvesting and tarehouse teams and trial operators for ensuring su cient trials were harvested and analysed to allow this RL programme to be completed.” In the 2023 RL table, the average plant population of the ve controls was 100,900/ha, (compared to 98,000/ha for the 2022 RL). Average sugar content (17.1%) was the same as the previous year. The numbers of early-sown bolters are from trials sown between mid-February up to the rst ve days of March. Growers should use the early sown bolting gures for guidance if sowing early, or if very cold or other stressful conditions are expected. Those varieties indicated by X in the tables are not recommended for sowing before the 15th March, but present a much lower risk for normal sowing. BTS3610, Button and BTS Smart 9485 produced In some instances, breeders may suggest some no bolters in those three years of normal other varieties should not be sown early. “Before ordering any of the special varieties bred for BCN, AYPR, yellowing virus tolerance or ALS herbicide tolerance, growers should discuss options with the BBRO and breeders who will have more information on their performance and use in the presence of the speci c problem,” adjusted tonnes per hectare compared advises Mike. “The breeder and BBRO will have more information on how best to use all the RL varieties in practice.” The RL/DL tables can be found on the BBRO website (www.bbro.co.uk) along with the supplementary tables showing the threeyear data for the varieties, plus data from trials untreated with fungicides, seed provenance, vernalisation experienced in the early-sown bolter trials over the last three years as well as juice impurities.

In some instances, breeders may suggest some other varieties should not be sown early. varieties bred for BCN, AYPR, yellowing virus tolerance or ALS herbicide presence of the speci c problem,” advises Mike. “The breeder and BBRO will

Leading the way in new varieties

Sugar beet breeders continue to lead the way in rapidly developing new and improved varieties. Ongoing investment in research and development is bringing new varieties to improve pest and disease resistance whilst also increasing yields.

Plant breeders have also demonstrated these varieties can improve nitrogen and water use e ciency. These bene ts all count towards ensuring the resilience of UK domestic sugar production in the coming years. BSPB CEO Sam Brooke comments: “In what has been a challenging couple of years it remains vital that new genetics are constantly brought to market to help growers increase yields by tackling diseases such as virus yellows.

“Nine new varieties have been added to the Recommended List this year, complementing the 13 proven varieties already on the list. This is testament to the tenacity of plant breeders and their ability to address the issues and concerns of sugar beet growers throughout the UK.”

The National List and Recommended List are now administered separately to encourage new and improved genetics to reach the UK market as quickly as possible. “By breeding varieties that can increase yields, whilst reducing our reliance on the use of chemistry and nitrogen, we can help to reduce costs and safeguard UK sugar beet production. More robust varieties will help to challenge diseases, but breeders need the security that the UK market can be sustainable in order to continue the high level of investment in R&D,” Ms Brooke adds.

BSPB is working closely with sugar beet breeding members – DLF Beet Seed Ltd, KWS UK Ltd, Limagrain (UK) Ltd, Lion Seeds Ltd, SesVanderHave UK Ltd and Strube UK Ltd – to advocate the importance of sugar beet to crop diversity and the economy. “To do this it is critical that growers are provided with new genetics at the earliest opportunity to sustain production and maintain a competitive edge,” she concludes. FG

Acquisition of grain specialist takes place

McArthur Agriculture acquired complete grain handling solutions provider, BDC Systems Ltd, in early April.

Both companies will continue to operate as independent businesses. BDC Systems’ Andrew Head and Andrew Lee will remain as directors, with Mr Head fulfilling a sales director role and Mr Lee continuing as technical director. Both will be instrumental in leading BDC Systems’ day-to-day business operations, ensuring that the commercial relationships with its dealers are unchanged.

“This acquisition ensures that two leading players within the post-harvest sector will continue to provide a range of valuable and proven grain drying, storage and processing solutions, that meet the needs of farming enterprises, of all sizes, and commercial grain operators throughout the UK and Ireland,” said John McArthur, MD of grain processing and storage equipment specialist, McArthur Agriculture.

Farmers are facing unprecedented challenges around the agricultural transition and balancing the need for environmental improvements whilst remaining viable. Postharvest operations are an opportunity to add-value to combinable crops, diversifying revenue streams and increasing profitability.

“BDC’s position as sole agent, UK and Ireland, for Skandia Elevator AB and Svegma remains in place. Our dealers will continue to offer their customers market leading manufacturers’ grain handling solutions and will have the opportunity, going forward, to access a wider range of equipment, enhancing their product portfolio,” said Mr Head.

BDC Systems will continue to operate from its Wiltshire base. Its dealers and their customers will still be able to benefit from the wellstocked warehouse, ensuring that down-time of equipment is kept to a minimum.

“The acquisition is very timely as, after 13 years at the helm, Andrew Lee and myself were beginning to plan how we could in the future, take a back seat at the same time as enabling BDC Systems to continue to thrive and successfully serve its dealers and their customers,” continued Mr Head.

This acquisition is part of McArthur Agriculture’s growth plan that will extend the range of grain drying, storage and processing products sourced from leading manufacturers. This will deliver greater value for farmers and commercial grain operator customers.

“Andrew Lee and I are confident that McArthur Agriculture who we know well, having been a BDC dealer for over 12 years, will take the company to the next phase of its growth following the acquisition. It will be ‘business as usual’ for our suppliers, our dealers, their customers and our staff, well into the future,” concluded Mr Head. FG

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Everything you need to know about Employers Liability Cover

How can you make sure you have the correct levels of cover and know who does and doesn’t need to be covered? These are common questions and very important to ask, A-Plan Rural Insurance explains.

The bottom line is that agriculture has been proven to be one of the most dangerous professions to work in. Figures from the HSE show that 41 people were killed in farmingrelated activities between April 2020 and March 2021, twice the number of deaths in the previous year and ve times more than the yearly rate across all industries.

So, having the right level of Employers’ Liability (EL) cover in place is critical.

A-Plan Rural highlights that EL is a legal requirement for any business that is using labour and £5M of indemnity cover is the legal minimum, although £10M has become the norm. However, in recent years changes in the Ogden tables, which help calculate the lump sum compensation due in personal injury and fatal accident cases, have seen the size of liability claims increase substantially. As a result A-Plan Rural has recommended that its clients consider taking £15M or £20M of cover.

These increases have partly been driven by low interest rates, which has led courts to award higher lump sums to make sure claimants who have been seriously injured have su cient funds for long-term care.

Associate director at A-Plan Rural, Laura Mitchell, urges caution amongst farmers: “Always consider the worst-case scenario and, although it sounds morbid, don’t presume that the death of a worker is the limit. If you have a young workforce undertaking potentially dangerous tasks, then a serious accident in which one or more su er life-changing injuries could lead to multiple claims to cover care for the rest of their lives.”

Who needs to be covered?

It is not only full-time sta you need to consider. If anyone is working or helping out on your premises under your direction, or using tools and machinery provided by you, then legally they are seen as an employee.

It really doesn’t matter what their tax status is or even whether they are being paid. If they are injured whilst working on your farm, then you are likely to be liable and could face a claim. This includes full-time employees, seasonal workers and casual labour.

Who does NOT need to be covered?

Domestic employees such as cleaners and gardeners should also be included but are often covered by a household policy. Check the policy wording or speak with your broker.

You may not need to provide EL cover for workers who are contractors, agency sta or self-employed if they have their own insurance place. But please remember to check rst.

It is also important to make sure they have the appropriate quali cations for the job they are undertaking. If you utilise self-employed workers or small contractors with no insurance in place, then you may still be liable.

What about friends and family who are 'helping out'?

This has become a bigger issue during the pandemic, when some farms have had to change how they do things to stay in business.

Perhaps family or friends are helping out with a diversi cation such as a farm show. Many farmers are under the impression they do not need to include them on their EL insurance policy, but this is a mistake.

Again, Laura would advise thinking about the worst case scenario: “Even if they are unpaid, in the eyes of the law they are ‘working’ if they complete tasks under your guidance and using your equipment. The same is true for occasional or ‘odd job’ workers who complete small projects on site.”

How to ensure everyone is covered

Premiums are usually based on the type of jobs being carried out and the size of the wage roll, including any bene ts employees receive as part of their employment. It’s expected that some employees ful l multiple duties, such as o ce work and manual labour. As such you should provide your broker or insurer with a breakdown of wages apportioned according to job type.

With due consideration to each of these elements, you will be able to insure your workforce comprehensively and competitively. FG

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Lawn Farm, Cornard Tye, Sudbury, Su olk Alice Howard MRICS FAAV 07955 210201 ahoward@salterandmckenna.co.uk Cameron Mckenna MRICS NDAg 07920 527687 cbmckenna@salterandmckenna.co.uk