Wider choice of varieties available for British sugar beet growers

This breakthrough results from changes in the British Sugar seed agreement, announced in June 2024.

The key changes include growers being allowed to buy seed directly from breeders.

The varieties which will be accepted by British Sugar for processing must be either on the 2026 BBRO Recommended List (RL); or on the 2025 RL; or on the APHA Variety List and undergoing year three testing with the BBRO RL.

This means the grower’s choice can now range from well-established favourites to an opportunity to try out the very latest genetics on their own land far sooner than the old system would allow.

Buying direct will give growers more control over ensuring their seed is primed, treated and pelleted in the way they would like.

It also enables growers to develop strategies to protect the increasingly limited seed treatment arsenal.

For SesVanderHave, these changes provide renewed confidence to invest in developing varieties tailored to the needs of the UK growers and British Sugar.

New threats

That in turn means UK growers will continue to benefit from the breeder’s global research and development, particularly in addressing issues of changes in pests, diseases and climate change which may be heading for our shores.

Current threats include rubbery tap root disease and syndrome basse richesse which are already threatening crops in mainland Europe.

New high performing varieties, such as Antler, reflect the benefits of a UK-focussed breeding programme.

There is a rich pipeline of new varieties coming through APHA VL trials including Grouse, Partridge, Pintail, Possum and Snipe.

Within the UK’s sugar beet growing areas, SesVanderHave has always invested in an extensive trials network, seeking to reflect differences in soil type, climate and management styles.

However, for the past two years, the breeder has engaged with a network of commercial growers through its SV Club.

SV Club members undertake their own variety trials under practical, commercial growing regimes.

The growers grow varieties on their own land and apply their own agronomy and management practices.

It gives growers to gain some experience of the very latest genetics that are heading to the market.

Results are shared with amongst SV Club members and already there are clear signs that soil type, weather patterns and crop nutrition have significant effects on crop performance in terms of establishment, root yield and sugar content.

At Cereals 25 (stand 239) SesVanderHave experts from the UK and mainland Europe will be on hand to discuss what the breeder can offer your business plus information on the latest variety Aslan from Hilleshog, for which SesVanderHave is UK agent.

And you will have the chance to win a luxury break in London for two.

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