Seed Production
Profitable herbage seed production is a potential cropping option on any mixed, arable or livestock farm in the UK. Whilst the crop is most commonly associated with certain areas of the country, with the right knowledge and equipment in place it can be an attractive cropping option for the majority of farms.
AberMagic seed crop in its second year, 1 week away from harvest at M and R Morton, Hinton Ampner, Hampshire.
Why consider growing herbage seed?
Why consider it now?
- Review of cropping options essential due to changes to agricultural support regimes.
- Strong and increasing demand for high quality British-bred Aber varieties.
- Competitive margins when compared with other crops, including wheat and oilseed rape.
- Provides alternative grass weed control options
Key benefits
- £1000 - £1500/ha gross margins are achievable.
- Excellent break crop from cereals and oilseed rape.
- Additional income from grazing, silage or hay.
- Potential for two years of seed production per crop.
- Expert advice provided free to growers by Germinal GB.
- Boosts soil organic matter levels by as much as 50 tonnes/ha due to breakdown of roots and other material.
- Extending rotation improves yields of following crops and allows seed production opportunities for Cereals.
Growing herbage seed
The System
- Select fields that have not grown grass for at least four years and where grass weeds (e.g. couch, blackgrass) are not a significant problem.
- Observe specific isolation requirements from other ryegrass crops.
- Sow in the autumn for first harvest the following summer, or undersow in the spring for first harvest in summer of the following year.
- Exploit forage income potential from sheep grazing in first winter, sheep/cattle grazing after first harvest, silage cut in first spring (hybrid ryegrasses only).
- Apply fertiliser and sprays as recommended for the crop.
- Direct combine, swath and pick up, or use a stripper header to harvest.
- Bale hay aftermath for home use or sale.
- Dry the crop using on-floor drying to a maximum moisture content of 14%. Avoid applying heat directly to the seed.
- Store the crop in cool and dry conditions until collection in bulk.
- All cleaning and certification carried out by Germinal GB.
AberChianti Red Clover seed crop coming into flower. Third seed harvest from this crop at M and R Morton, Hinton Ampner, Hampshire.
Financial details
Annual Variable Costs
- Variable costs are dependent on variety, seed, fertiliser and chemical usage, but are typically in the region of £500/ha (at current prices) for a first-year crop, considerably less for the second year, including inspection and certification charges.
Annual Income
- £1500 plus per ha is achievable
- Grazing income: up to £60/ha
- Hay/silage income: up to £150/ha, depending on the season.
- Opportunities to grow early generation crops for multiplication, with an enhanced final price.
Payment Structure
- AberHSG varieties command a premium over other Herbage seed crops
- All crops are grown under contract to Germinal GB.
- Payments to the grower are structured as follows:
- 40% November.
- 40% March.
- Final 20% June.
- A proportion of Cleaning and Certification charges are charged back to the grower, the rate is determined by purity of seed at intake.