BCN sugar beet seed still available for 2025 amid concerns 

The company that specialises in sugar beet seed production has reassured growers that it has stocks of seed reserved for the UK and can supply direct or via Anglia Farmers.  

Ian Munnery of SESVanderHave said: “With excellent yields being reported for our new high-yielding BCN variety Hoopoe, we still have some stock. 

“Jackdaw (BCN), which British Sugar purchased for growers last year, is also delivering exceptional yields – a testament to the excellent seed quality.” 

Anyone wavering on signing a contract to grow sugar beet because they cannot access BCN seed should contact the team at SESVanderHave or Anglia Farmers to secure your stocks, the company added.

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Additional stocks to be released 

British Sugar and NFU Sugar have also issued an update that reads: “Following our initial seed release, some varieties are now displayed as ‘currently sold out’. The UK Seed Account has not yet sold the entire volume it expects to be available in these varieties, as further seed stocks will be released for sale.” 

They are set to receive updates from breeders in the coming weeks as their final production volumes are confirmed.  

British Sugar and NFU Sugar spokesperson added: “Provided the production numbers we receive remain above the volume sold so far, we will release additional stocks. 

“By January we will have clarity on final production volumes and processing out-turn. We will therefore offer all remaining supplies of each variety up to these exact production numbers. 

“As such, unless the yield or quality of the seed harvest falls far short of initial estimates from breeders, we expect to have further volumes to sell, including those displaying as ‘currently sold out’. We will give notice ahead of additional seed releases.” 

Compared to selling seed in one single release, this both reduces the risk of substitutions and allows the industry to benefit from obtaining as much of the most popular varieties as possible, British Sugar added. 

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Available choices 

British Sugar added that if growers have not yet purchased seed for 2025, there is no need to panic.  

Further stocks of seed will become available through the UK Seed Account. Growers have various choices open. 

“You can choose to wait for further seed releases to see what stocks become available. As explained above, it is the ambition of the Seed Working Group to offer further stocks of all the varieties listed in the first ordering window, but it is possible that individual varieties may not be available in the January 2025 release, such as in the case that seed production falls far short of initial estimates. 

“If you are especially concerned about securing seed now, or a certain trait, or if you are open to consider a range of variety options, the UKSA seed shop will remain open prior to January and sell those stocks that have been released for sale.  

“You may choose to purchase one or more of the options that is currently in stock to provide peace of mind that your selection is secured. 

“Seed can also be bought outside of the UKSA, including KWS Smart seed from one of their preferred distributors as well as SESVanderHave and Hilleshog varieties directly from SESVanderHave or from an agent,” a spokesperson for Britsh Sugar added. 

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