29/03/2011

Buy-back contracts for RAGT's Group 3 wheat Tuxedo are now available for the 2011 harvest through Dalmark Grain. RAGT adds that a further two buyers are set to announce their Tuxedo buy-back contracts next week. According to Chris Tye, Dalmark's Farm Business Manager, the premium contracts are being offered to secure sufficient biscuit wheat for UK food manufacturers, as well as a small amount for export.

"There is a strong demand in the eastern region for Group 3s for the biscuit baking market," he explained. "So we have premium contracts available for wheat that meets the millers' quality specifications. We have contracts for all nabim Group 3 recommended varieties, including both Tuxedo and Warrior."

The contracts available are based on a tonnage commitment from the grower for a named variety. Pricing includes a premium to compensate growers for the yield differences associated with the Group 3s compared with the "barn filling feed varieties". The contracts are fixed on tonnage but flexible on quality should a grower's consignment not reach the protein and Hagberg Falling Number (HFN) specification of the millers.

Tuxedo fits the exacting UK milling standards and has the highest HFN of the Group 3s. It also has a 'medium' rating for the distilling market and has the uks standard for export.

According to SAC's Cereal Researcher, Dr Steve Hoad, Tuxedo has the key characteristics for biscuit making. "It has a reliable HFN which is way above average and the desired protein content which is not too high, but above 10.7%." He added that the variety's distilling rating makes it an appealing option for growers in central and north England to supply bioethanol plants and in Scotland for the distilling market.

He also suggested that it has agronomic appeal. "In the HGCA’s North region its grain yield is similar to Robigus and Invicta i.e. an improvement on Claire and Scout. Maturity is similar to Robigus, but a little earlier that Invicta, straw stiffness is above average, with a good response to PGR. Also, its disease resistance scores are an improvement on Robigus, with good resistance to Septoria tritici and to yellow rust."

Mr Tye impressed the point that the buy-back contracts Dalmark has on offer wholly reflect the supply and demand situation in the UK for Group 3s. ”There is a definite shortage of Group 3s in this country and millers will want to ensure domestic supply AHDB using NIAB data predicts that 16% of the certified seed sales for 2011 harvest year will be group 3s, whilst up on 2009/10 (11%), this is significantly down on the 46% of seed sales in 2006, 37% in 2007 and 27% in 2008.”

Growers interested in discussing the Tuxedo and other Group 3 buy-back contracts should contact Chris Tye at Dalmark on 01733 222391