The Glastonbury of agriculture returns on the 13^th and 14^th of June. Farmers flock from across the nation and abroad to learn about the latest developments, products and companies operating within our space. No other event delights the senses in such a way, where cropping plots and machinery are sampled first hand by attendees.

Image courtesy of Cereals

Premium Crops are once again Registration Sponsors and would like to take this opportunity to walk you through our curated selection of the best we have to offer at Cereals 2023.

 

We have many free giveaways and free activities for you so make sure you read to the end!

 

Launched in 1979, Cereals is the largest arable event of its kind in the UK. The show has taken many different shapes and sizes in this time and this year takes place at a brand-new location, Thoresby Estate, Nottinghamshire.

 

Tickets are available now, click here.

The next 100 subscribers to the Premium Crops Newsletter will reiceve a full ticket for FREE!

 

National champions of niche cropping, Premium Crops are the UK’s largest specialist arable seed merchants. We supply seed, purchase contracts, and provide a range of agronomical and logistical services.

Premium Crops can be located at stand number 302.

Cefetra Ltd, Premium Crops parent company, will be on the adjacent stand (stand no.304) and will be pleased to see existing and potential customers to discuss grain marketing strategies and contract offerings. The volatility of the grain markets and the changes in consumer demands mean that it is now more important than ever to be working closely with a strong grain marketing business. We have national coverage with a local presence in offices covering all regions and as well as strong partnerships with most domestic consumers, we also export significant volumes, in partnership with our sister companies across Europe.

 

Click here to see a video from Cereals 2022, where Managing Director Andrew Probert spells out Premium Crops’ business model.

 

 

 

Newly introduced cover crop packages at a discount alongside our traditional contracts are this year's star attraction. Cover crops have seen immense success as a sustainable and holistic means to increasing crop performance and soil health, and continue to rise in popularity amongst farmers seeking fewer chemical solutions.

A demonstration plot has been sown onstand, to offer farmers a chance to inspect the mix directly.

 

 

Farmers will gaze upon our many other cropping plots also, including:

 

On the afternoon of Day One, 13^th June, there will be a onsite fundraiser for the Multiple System Atrophy Trust (MSAT) in Sarah’s Wood with a band, burgers, beer and raffles. Premium Crops have donated an all-inclusive weekend trip away, with lot’s of other exciting prizes available too. Masses of fun to be had, all for a good cause!

 

We are hosting a spot the BASIS Knowledge Trail once again – where those applicable will answer a short, relevant questionnaire on niche crops and be rewarded with a stamp, which can be cashed in at the BASIS stand in exchange for points.

 

New this year is Dirt & Discovery, a collaboration between the National Farmers Union and Cereals. Secondary school students will be invited to attend classes hosted by Premium Crops and others to learn first hand the experience of commercial agriculture.

With this much to offer, there is something for everyone at the Premium Crops stand at Cereals 2023.

 

 

 

 

According to the Met Office ‘England had its eighth driest February in a series which goes back to 1836, and its driest since 1993, with on average just 15.3mm of rain falling in the month.’ The mild and dry conditions of February encouraged drilling of earlier spring crops and fertilising, soils were quick to warm. ‘UK having its joint fifth mildest February on record in a series which goes back to 1884.’

Figure 1 Met office February 2023 weather figures https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2023/february-and-winter-stats

Spring Linseed and Canary seed drilling is fast approaching. Please ensure sufficient moisture is in the seedbed before drilling. April is becoming a dry month in recent years, following the early March snow some much needed moisture has been added. Where there is sufficient moisture drilling from mid-late March is advisable to get the crop established and away. This should correlate with soil temperatures hovering around the 8 degrees C mark, however remember soil moisture is more of a limiting factor then soil temperature. In the dry summer of 2022 crops drilled the end of March had a much higher establishment rate than April drilled crops. If the long-range forecast suggests April will be dry then March drilling is advised.

When establishing, best practise like avoiding heavy cultivations to dry out the soil; keeping a shallow drill depth (2-3cm or as shallow are your drill will place it) and a heavy, slow roll to consolidate/conserve moisture will give the best chances of a high establishment rate. This ultimately drives yield as you end up with more bolls per metre squared (units of production).

Those interested in growing Linseed and Canary Seed should visit our webpages for more information, and call our Sales team on 023 9263 2883.

Spring Linseed - Canary Seed