Linseed - good prospects for spring 2010.

Substantial premiums are available for quality linseed, but it will be the choice of variety that determines the desirability and final value to individual buyers. Over the last two years the most valuable samples have achieved premiums of 30% above the base crushing prices for industrial use.

Varieties need to be matched to farm situations, as their individual agronomic characteristics can be significant. BILTON is the market leader over 5 years in the UK with a vigorous establishment, very stiff straw and top yields. It responds well to high yielding sites.

Only JULIET out-yields Bilton in practice, but it has a very weak straw and is best avoided on heavy/fertile soils. METEOR is a new variety with good yields of seed producing very high levels of ALA (Omega 3) and commands premiums to match.

MARMALADE is the top selling yellow skinned linseed throughout Europe and is exclusively sold by Robin Appel Ltd, and often trades at a £30-£100/tonne premium over brown seed. It delivers good yields, especially on light ground, and is very early to harvest. BIRDSEYE is a new high-yielding variety with exclusive markets commanding premiums, again only available from Robin Appel Ltd and it's trading partners.

It is important to appreciate that for Linseed the HGCA Recommended List is based on limited data, and is more often than not at variance to experience in the field. Before choosing a variety it is better to seek the advice of those with practical knowledge, to ensure you select one that suits your conditions and has the potential to earn a premium! Obviously we can provide testimonials from one of our hundreds of linseed growers.