Again a very quiet trading period for UK pulses. 2009 interest however is very high for both beans and peas, as confirmed by the response we had at Cereals. UK Seed supply will be an obstacle, particularly as many growers are returning after 3-4 year out of the crops. Pulse Australia’s June forecast is for lower acreages and yields of beans due to a very dry May. Although they had forecast increases in peas and beans, the dry weather may not allow this as sowing will be done by mid-July. See their latest update at http://www.pulseaus.com.au/statistics_and_market_overview/market_overview/547/Pulse%20Australia%20Crop%20Forecast%20June%2017%202008.pdf

Feed Beans

The £55-60 premium over wheat is seen as too high at present.

Export Beans

Good UK pale spring samples will continue to command a strong premium over darker material from France as ‘table’ beans. Egyptian crop has indeed underperformed and they have bought forward some new French crop, but UK material should be very competitive on price and quality if this season continues favourably. Ramadan is scheduled for first week September so no new crop will be available before this.

Marrowfats

Demand remains strong and there has been both Chinese and Japanese interest recently.

Large Blues

Little change this month on the trading front. Even Canada is not making any firm offers at this stage. Prices and demand remain very firm. We will have more on Canada next month.

Agronomy notes

Crops continue to look well and timely rain this month has helped considerably. The first pea moths were found towards the end of the month but as yet no peas have begun flowering. With an increase in temperature and soil moisture, we can expect an earlier emergence of moths than last year. The PGRO pea moth telephone information service will be available again in early June on 01780 783099.

Winter bean diseases are still low and now that pod setting is well underway in most areas, there will be a need for a rust preventative fungicide treatment in the next couple of weeks. Downy mildew in spring beans began to develop at the end of the month following the rain and temperature rise. Bruchid beetles are present in crops but the timing for sprays in spring beans should be delayed until pod set has begun.

PGRO/BEPA at Cereals

I hope members will be generally satisfied with the results of the show, and the interest we had over the 2 days. Press coverage following this and PGRO Open Day has been good. Pulses are firmly back on the farm agenda: even to the extent that some OSR promoters are trying to target pulse growers. There was some criticism that some key (older) varieties were not on show.