What do UK seed account changes mean for beet growers?

Under changes to the UK seed account, sugar beet growers are now permitted to buy and sell seed via any route they choose.

Additionally, for those willing to take more risks to try the newest varieties with the latest genetics, there is now the option to choose candidates from the RL that are not yet fully recommended but going through that process.

More choice, spreading demand 

Explaining the changes, Arthur Marshall, NFU Sugar’s commercial and market insight manager, said:

“We need to continue changing and reforming the system to be relevant and up to date for the challenges we face now,” he added, speaking on a BBRO podcast.

Part of the reason for the change is to give growers a greater degree of choice but also to spread out the demand.

In the past two to three years, demand has outstripped supply for the most popular few varieties.

Increased resilience for bad years

The move will also make the sector more resilient in the face of increasingly adverse weather, he added. 

“We saw last year the challenges we can face when there are adverse weather conditions in seed producing regions and it does put pressure on the seed supply available.

“Clearly […] we don’t want to be in a situation where there’s not enough seed to supply growers.

“So having a greater range of varieties available is the right thing.”

Opening the opportunity for breeders to sell candidate varieties into the common market could also incentivise them to launch new genetics, and greater opportunities to test them on farm and generate more data, he added.

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Value of data 

Commenting on the importance of testing and data transparency, Arthur said that in tandem with the new opportunities, it’s also important to ensure growers know what they’re buying.

Nick Morris, head of agriculture – supply chain at British Sugar, added that trials and data will be increasingly important.

For example, formal replicated trials, observational trials on how varieties perform in the presence of different pests and diseases and less formal trials like the National Crop Survey. 

The changes in how seed can be marketed are also designed to help make sure suppliers are fully accountable for the performance of their seed, especially if certain claims are made against it.

Arthur added: “Any grower choosing to buy that seed [from candidate varieties] should do so with their eyes completely open.

“You’re not buying it with the same level of confidence in its performance as you would if you go for a fully listed variety.”

Changes to BBRO trialling process 

Speakers also discussed the planned changes to the BBRO Recommended List process for 2025, which are currently being looked at.

Nick said growers had told them that the trialling process doesn’t always precisely reflect how they grew the crop on their own farm.

Changes for the 2025 process will give growers a direct comparison between different seed technologies on the same variety, with the reassurance that it has been grown with the same technology that they’ll buy off the shelf.

How to order seed 

A new website, in the same place with the same look, has been worked on to delink the seed order from the contract. 

The seed ordering process continues to be online through MyBritishSugar and a paper version will continue to be available.

The UK seed account will be making seed available from all breeders, though it may be that not all varieties from all breeders will be available, but this is made clear in the pack, Nick explained.

Seed can be ordered in the usual way and payment can still be deducted from the following year’s sugar beet crop. Though growers can also approach breeders directly.

More time to make decisions

Under the new model, some seed will be made available straight away, while some will be available later on into the new year.

The reason for this, Arthur explained, is to give growers more time to make decisions.

“We don’t want growers to feel they all have to come onto the screen at the same time, on the same day, and all seed will be available at once. […]”

It allows growers to wait until it’s clear how much seed has been produced.

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With the sugar beet seed harvest in summer in Italy and France, crop yield can vary and the breeders themselves will not know how much is available until harvest is complete in August.

Then, with processing and screening it can be well into autumn before we know the likely volume, so selling seed in summer/early autumn is done against an unknown quantity.

Commenting on the decision to spread sales out, Arthur said: 

“Hopefully this gives growers the reassurance that decisions don’t all have to be made at the same time. 

“Some growers will prefer to wait for more data and more information and make a later decision, while others will prefer to make an earlier decision.”

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