Pulse growers are being invited to take the next step towards growing better crops as the Pea and Bean Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) initiatives run by ADAS open for 2021.The Pea and Bean YENs are industry initiatives and open to all organisations, agronomists and farmers who are striving to close the gap between current and potential yields.
YEN participants receive lab analysis results worth £220-£380, samples of soil and leaf tissue, grab and grain samples analysed for yield components, marketing quality and nutrients, as well as technical support from the Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO).
In addition, YEN members can access individual crop reports benchmarked against other members, membership of a dedicated WhatsApp group for knowledge sharing, and an invitation to the annual results meeting.
PGRO chief executive Roger Vickers said: “Whether you are an experienced grower or planting peas and beans for the first time, now is the time to take advantage of the YEN initiatives and grow your knowledge of these crops.
“Potential 2020 seed yields in the UK generally exceeded 7 t/ha for peas, 11 t/ha for spring beans and 12 t/ha for winter beans, assuming light soils.
“The valuable role of pulses in the rotation, and the market demand for domestically-produced protein is being increasingly recognised. We also think pulses fit hand-in-glove with the policy-makers’ environmental ambitions.
“The Pea and Bean YENs are invaluable networks to be a part of, offering expertise and knowledge to empower growers, and I would urge anyone interested in increasing their productivity to apply.”
The Pea and Bean YENs are supported by the John Innes Centre, BASF, DTN, NRM, Lancrop Laboratories, Hutchinsons, De Sangosse, Senova, LSPB, Askew and Barrett, Dalton Seeds, and Elsoms.
For more information, or to register, all interested parties should visit www.yen.adas.co.uk.
