Get in the sugar beet zone with SesVanderHave

Anyone growing sugar beet today will be familiar with varieties from SesVanderHave and Hilleshög. 

SesVanderHave UK director Ian Munnery comments: “Last year British Sugar and NFU Sugar announced groundbreaking changes that empower growers to buy seed directly from the breeder.

“With so many growers seeking advice on variety selection and ordering seed directly, Cereals 2025 offers an ideal opportunity to meet and discuss sugar beet.

“With the event being held less than three miles from our Lincolnshire offices, our attendance is a no-brainer.

“We will be located on stand 239, our Sugar Beet Zone, near the NFU stand and next door to British Sugar’s own stand; so growers will be well informed ahead of their 2026 crop decisions, including varieties.”

On SesVanderHave’s stand, visitors will not only be able to meet the full UK team but also many breeding and research experts from SesVanderHave, Belgium and Hilleshög, Sweden as SesVanderHave UK is now UK marketing agent for the Hilleshög genetics. 

“We will showcase our full portfolio of tried and tested varieties that many growers will be familiar with, such as Antler, Aslan, Gadwall, Hoopoe (BCN), Osprey (AYPR), Magpie, Wren, Adder and Tawny,” Ian explains.

“You can also gain an insight into some of our candidates within current BBRO trials, including Grouse and Snipe.

“Antler truly is groundbreaking – the new Monarch of the Fen – sitting alongside BTS1915 at the very top of the BBRO 2026 Recommended List, but with higher sugar content and lower bolting.

No doubt, it will be the variety of growers’ choice for 2026 sowing,” continues Ian. “Our new high yielding variety Aslan sees Hilleshög genetics return to the UK market.

“Whilst Hoopoe has demonstrated excellent performance against beet cyst nematode, Osprey remains the only BBRO Recommended variety for use in the presence of AYPR rhizomania.

“If you don’t need BCN or Cerc (as claimed by the breeder), Gadwall is the third highest classical rhizomania tolerant variety – so there will be plenty of choice.”

With a further 10 candidates in BBRO Recommended List trials pending recommendation for 2026 and an additional 48 in APHA Variety List trials, SesVanderHave has a formidable pipeline of new genetics, traits and treatments to help growers maximise and protect their yields.

“We will also be showcasing some lessons learnt from Club SV 2024 trials; where we are not only working with leading growers to better evaluate varieties under commercial conditions across the whole UK but also to share lessons on how to maximise yields and minimise risks,” says Ian.

“The lessons learnt include seed and nitrogen rates, sowing dates and seed treatments.

“Reducing nitrogen rates is a major topic going forward for breeders given the potential to not only negatively affect sugar content and processability if in excess, but also to increase your bottom line.

“As part of the BASIS trail, we will be explaining the need for vigilance against rubbery tap root disease and syndrome basse richesse, which are growing threats across Europe.”

Cereals stand number: 239

Read more cereals news.