UK sugar beet growers can now buy seed directly from plant breeders SesvanderHave.
The move by the leading global breeder of sugar beet comes from changes made to the British Sugar seed agreement, first announced in 2024.
The full implications will be announced to visitors to Cereals 2025.
“Essentially, growers who buy direct from us will have access to all our varieties, ranging from long-established varieties such as Magpie and Wren, as well as the newest top-performing varieties on the Recommended List, including Antler, Gadwall, Hoopoe and Hilleshog’s Aslan,” said UK director Ian Munnery.
“In addition, we are able to offer brand-new varieties that have completed national listing and are candidates in British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) 2025 trials, these include Possum, Snipe, Pintail, Partridge and Grouse, which are the next generation in terms of yield and agronomic characteristics,” he added.
For growers with confirmed crop infection of the AYPR strain of rhizomania, the company has Osprey, which remains the only BBRO recommended variety for AYPR. While for those with beet cyst nematode challenges there is the established Hoopoe, or the promising new variety Pintail.
Seed will be from harvest 2025 to ensure top germination, while stocks last.
“The seed we will sell will be processed in SesvanderHave and Hilleshog facilities, so we will be able to offer a wider choice of pelleting and seed treatments tailored to growers’ specific needs,” said Mr Munnery.
Tickets are still available for Cereals. Use the discount code FC50 at checkout for 50% off.