A quiet trading period for feed pulses, but food prices continue to climb the political agenda as rice & maize prices reach records. Soya too is again rallying on demand from China and the US spring planting is reported as 18% up on 2007. Delays in US corn plantings also suggest soya increases. In the UK wheat has come off highs and pulses have followed.

Some reports of French spring beans up 5-6% but the recent trip to Brussels confirmed their peas are down again by up to 30%.

Pulse Australia reports rain is ending the drought in some key agricultural areas. Total area seeded to pulses in Canada is forecast to increase by 7% from 2007-08, with increases for dry peas and lentils but a decrease for beans. For more about Canadian pea crop prospects there’s a comprehensive up to date bulletin at http://www.agr.gc.ca/pol/mad-dam/index_e.php?s1=pubs&s2=bi&s3=php&page=bulletin_21_02_2008-02-22

Feed Beans

Following other commodities, they’re off highs by about £20/tonne.

But prices offered for new crop will be strong at around £180/tonne, and at a respectable premium over wheat.

Export Beans

Confirmation that Egypt is suffering drought conditions which may reduce the local bean harvest now coming in. The next 3 months will see some import demand but there’s very little available from UK stock.

Marrowfats

Very little left on farm but prices are very strong and new crop values will remain so. hopefully some more growers were persuaded back to the crop this spring, especially where OSR may have failed to establish. Japanese import quotas balanced supply in the end. NZ supply was very limited as well this year.

Large Blues & Yellows

Again crops are almost sold out and little offered from Canada. The general decrease in EU acres will keep prices high and put those successful growers in the driving seat.

PGRO/BEPA Cereals Stand

Considerably more time and investment is going into the joint stand this year and the planning and preparation are well underway. Thanks to both BEPA and LS Plant Breeding for their help and support.

With Ammonium Nitrate now at £320/tonne, the theme this year is “Free Nitrogen”.

Agronomy notes

Cold has slowed crop development, but unlike 2007, residual pre-emergence herbicides have been very effective thanks to improved moisture. This is extremely good news as we have lost long established post emergence herbicides this year through the EU Pesticide Review Programme. Pea & bean weevil has made the most of the short warm spells this last week and backward crops are taking some damage. Pigeons are a problem in peas in some areas. Generally though, plant establishment is good with some excellent soil conditions at drilling.

Winter beans also appear to be reasonably healthy coming through the winter with only low levels of Ascochyta and because of the cold winter there seems to be less bean rust surviving on volunteer beans.

In view of the demand for high quality peas, it will be important to keep on top of pea moth control, and this means getting the monitoring traps in place by the third week of May. Similarly the latest research on Bean Bruchid control has highlighted the need for timely sprays and good crop penetration. A new revised Information Sheet is now available from PGRO and through the web site.