BREAKING the cycle of monoculture, combined with facing tighter rotations, the three-crop rule and falling commodity prices, could mean its time to turn again to pulse crops for 2017, a leading figure in the industry has argued.

“It is time to return to the traditional rotational practices that have been proven over centuries,” said Peter Busfield, of Lincs-based merchant, Dunns.

“Take a step back in time to the UK farming picture in the mid-1970s. Peas were widely grown and pulses accounted for approaching a 1m acres. Then came oilseed rape, which gained a big following, mainly at the expense of peas.

“As we all know, oilseed rape has been a very good crop for the UK farmer for over 35 years – but is now under pressure with reduced margins and problems resulting from too tight rotations," he pointed out.

“So it is surely time to take another look at peas. In the past, many arable farmers dismissed peas as a crop that could be problematical and not profitable, with low yield, poor prices and, in particular, lodging issues.

“But, the latest pea varieties on the PGRO Recommended List bring consistent yield, have good colour retention – which is where the added value is – and have made massive leaps forward on earliness and standing ability. For example, Campus from LS Plant Breeders has a top-of-list ‘8’ for standing ability at harvest.

“Other benefits also come into play – as a spring crop, peas have a long drilling window from March through to the end of May, meaning land can be purged of blackgrass with glyphosate over a longer period," added Mr Busfield.