- Early signs from both trials and commercial crops are that sugar beet is performing well despite late drilling and above average rainfall, according to breeder SESVanderHave
“The rains washed away the threat of virus yellows, whilst good summer temperatures have helped the crop to pile on yield in recent weeks, while the incidence of foliar disease is mercifully low so far, says SESVanderHave Trials Manager Wayne Tonge.
“We have started harvesting replicated plots testing the next generation genetics and treatments with our bespoke mobile tarehouse.”
In parallel broader screening of commercial performance across the network of Club SV Growers continues apace, with early indications of good yields, sugar contents and low impurities from new varieties Gadwall and Hoopoe
“Results from our beet cyst nematode trials for Hoopoe are demonstrating superior performance to Jackdaw which many growers planted this spring,” says Mr Tonge.
The mobile strip trial harvest is proving extremely popular with Club SV growers, and is generating considerable interest when neighbours see how easy and fast the process is, according to SESVANDERHAVES newest employee Seed Sales Adviser Hector Adcock.
“It’s giving growers some really useful insights into performance. Combined with our drone image analysis, linked weather station network and the immediacy of generating data and the ability to sequential harvest using gps locators it’s proving an extremely powerful tool.”
There is, however, considerable field variability as expected after late drilling and high pressure from damping off and soil pest complex, but results are giving growers instant insight into real-time performance on their own farms with their own inputs and agronomy.
SESVANDERHAVE is committed to continue investing in extending its trials network from the current 90 hectares to ensure growers have access to more relatable and reliable data.
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