| Arable
Lupins as homegrown protein crops : farmers review first year of trials and plan second year of research
Group of Innovative Farmers to launch further research into homegrown protein crops , following an educational first year of trials .
A group of twelve farmers in the South West are investigating the potential for commercial production of combinable organic protein crops , lupins and soya . The Mole Valley Farmers group have completed a first year of trials , growing one white variety and one blue variety of lupin , and their results are set to shape a further year of research .
Lupins have a reputation for being problematic to grow in the UK : but with rising demand for organic proteins for animal feed making sourcing increasingly difficult , and with new seed varieties entering the market which may increase the possibility of success in growing locally , the group were keen to see whether they could make it work on their land .
The results were mixed . The white variety largely failed , but the blue showed promise despite the challenges of an unpredictably dry April that reduced establishment . Each of the participants used one or both lupin varieties alongside a range of weed control measures , with mechanical weed control proving most successful . Some chose to intercrop with vetch , but this tended to result in excessive competition from the vetch .
12 | Farming Monthly | February 2018
Nigel Mapstone is coordinating the trials . He said : “ This first year has been a really helpful learning experience and we enter the second year with a more refined trial design , including adding a second blue lupin variety , and we ’ re confident we can deliver some really positive results . We ’ ve gathered some good insights that have encouraged us to implement the next trial on larger plot sizes , with denser planting and no intercropping , which should improve both establishment and harvest success this time around .”
Discussing their second trial the group are considering using two blue varieties , Regent and Iris . These have different growth habits , and the group are keen to see whether this results in significant differences in yield , quality and weed competition .
Paul Redmore is one of the farmers taking part . He said : “ You can ’ t go on one year alone really as there are many variables in a field trial situation . Every year you learn a bit more , and over time you start to accumulate a mosaic of knowledge . It ’ s particularly nice that we ’ re working as a group , it ’ s very easy to stay in your own little silo but getting different people together to understand the common problems and find solutions that work is a really
Use averages to be the best
When it comes to both variety choice and grain marketing , long-term averages can give the best clue to successful strategies , as Saltburn Monitor Farm found out .
J ohn Aynsley has hosted the Saltburn Monitor Farm since June 2017 and the group recently met
John to discuss how to make the most out of grain marketing and varieties , led by AHDB experts Helen Plant and Jenna Watts .
John said : “ Everybody is interested in trying to get the best out of what we do .”
Although in recent years volatility has been the norm , in reality UK feed wheat prices in the last 12 months have remained fairly flat . UK prices are above world market levels and ex-farm prices in the North East of England relatively high compared with a year ago .
Helen Plant , AHDB Senior Market Analyst , said : “ Global markets will move , but we don ’ t know when . We need to prepare for change and be ready . The signs are that the market could have a strong reaction if there was a significant weather issue .”
The most important thing , Helen said , is to get a handle on farm business costs using benchmarking such as with AHDB ’ s Farmbench . Farmers should use long-term averages , both of market price and cost of production , to see how their business is fairing .
Bearing in mind the uncertainty around Brexit , preparing becomes even more vital .
Helen said : “ The best form of attack is defence . Lowering your costs means you ’ re the last to lose profit in a falling market or as direct payments are reduced or eliminated after 2022 .”
Like many farmers in the region , the looming exit from Europe is on John ' s mind , with uncertainty top of the concerns .
John said : “ In the short term we probably won ’ t be making any marketing changes as we don ’ t know yet what will happen . We ’ re still dealing with the same people , at the end of the day . However , we may need to look at futures and call options in more detail , although they often work out more expensive for us , especially when there ’ s not been a lot of volatility .”
Knowing your own farm business inside-out is key for marketing , just as it is for variety choice .
John said : “ The main thing I took away from the varieties part of the meeting was that the AHDB Recommended Lists are a very comprehensive guide , but you have to do your own homework to see how your own farm behaves . You also have to take into account how you want to farm .”
Jenna Watts manages the Recommended Lists work for AHDB . She advises farmers to look at five-year averages and to consider the specific farm conditions .
“ Results from individual trial sites should not be used to make
worthwhile exercise .” The group is working with Hannah Jones from the University of Reading . Speaking about the challenges faced in the first year , she commented : “ Across the South , we had a significantly drier spring in 2017 compared to rainfall over the last decade , which contributed to high plant mortality and greater levels of seed predation than expected . Once the remaining plants started to grow with the on-set
Lupins have a reputation for being problematic to grow in the UK
of rain , the season was well-advanced and the time for the crop to reach maturity was limited . Because the spring weather pattern was significantly different to what can be expected in this first year it is important to repeat and refine these trials , with lessons learned this year meaning greater chance of success going forward .”
The group plan to commence their next trial in spring this year , keep up to date with their progress at www . innovativefarmers . org
Aynsley conclusions on variety performance ,” she said . “ Instead , if you ’ re looking at new varieties then take into consideration the yield , disease resistance and performance in your specific situation , such as your soil type and weather .”
Summing up , Judith Stafford , AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Knowledge Exchange Manager , said : “ The important thing is to know your costs and know your farm . Get involved with benchmarking and also have your say on the Recommended Lists with our online survey .”
The next meeting will be on 27 February , looking at precision farming .
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