Growing new varieties for seed can be seen as a risky business, with little information given to growers before it’s planted. However, Sam Parrott from Stafford, enjoys the excitement of experimenting with new varieties and has found benefits for his business.

“Often we get varieties with just a code, before it’s even named and registered. Growing for seed gives us this opportunity, and if we like them, we can often then take them onto our commercial side of the farm.

“I enjoy the seed side of the business because it’s interesting, and we get to grow varieties in the early days, when a lot of people haven’t even heard of them.

“We like to see what advantages a new variety could offer us. This year we’ve grown a new winter barley, Surge, which has recently been harvested and we’ve been really happy with the yield and especially the bushel weight. It’s great to see something that you took a risk on performing well.”

Mr Parrott, who works in partnership with his parents, farming just over 1,000 acres, explains that he has made a number of changes since taking over the family business.

“Since choosing to work with a new agronomist three years ago, we’ve made a lot of changes which have been a big shift from what my parents traditionally did. With our barley we now put nitrogen (N) on early, and we’re planning to use growth regulators on Surge next year but at a later timing than traditionally done.

Andrew Wilkins, Mr Parrott’s independent NIAB-TAG agronomist, explains, “Sam is a good farmer to work with, he’s young, dynamic, and really looking to do things differently.

“Earlier and potentially higher rates of N seem to give higher yields in the barley, which is something Sam and I have looked at quite closely. Growth regulator treatments need to be appropriate for the variety and season. On the light soils on the farm, it can be unwise to try and curtail growth too much in early spring.

“With the current financial climate, you’ve got to look at varieties that give you that bit more when it comes to disease resistance, so you can try and make seed input costs really pay their way.

“Any new variety has to give you those disease ratings you’re looking for and deliver the goods when it comes to yield and bushel weight. Surge has been a good option for the farm, and has proved its worth. Considering it hasn’t been an overly successful year for barley, it certainly looks promising for the future.” concludes Mr Wilkins.