Despite the dramatic impact of drought and heat resulting in significant yield losses for most crops this season, there was better news for hybrid rye growers, with many reporting high yields in line with previous years, confirms Philip Marr, renewable biomass consultant for Agrii.
Philip says: “The agronomic benefits of hybrid rye have been well advertised for many years now. However, it’s fair to say that three very dry seasons (in 2022, 2025 and 2026) have recently raised the focus on its future potential.
“Managing the hybrid rye trials at Agrii’s Brotherton iFarm at Knottingley, I’ve successfully trialled more than 150 rye varieties over the last 16 years, with SU Karlsson, from Saaten Union and Elsoms, topping the trials over the last three consecutive years in both fresh-weight and biogas-yield categories.
“Although anaerobic digestion (AD) is still the biggest end market for rye, SU Karlsson has also recorded very high grain yields, making it a true dual-use variety suitable for both grain and AD markets.
“With more biomethane-injection and AD plants in development over the next two years, along with changing UK weather patterns, hybrid rye seems ideally positioned for growth as long as market demand for the crop continues to rise,” Philip adds.
Hamish Knottenbelt, arable manager at Peacehill Farm, near Wormit in Fife, works with Philip and sees hybrid rye playing a much bigger role in the farm’s future.
He says: “We currently grow 280ha of hybrid rye, representing just under a third of our total cropping, with a plan to increase that area to 400ha for the 2027 crop. It fits neatly into the rotation as either a second cereal or following potatoes, if they are lifted early enough, and is grown as wholecrop for the farm’s own anaerobic digester.
More News
-
Caithness experiencing far from drought conditions this harvest period
-
Scottish Government’s imaginary food security committee reaches a predictable verdict
“Drilling 67ha of SU Karlsson around September 9 last year, the crop got away well and never really gave us any cause for concern – the only input management question being whether we applied one plant growth regulator (PGR) or two for additional insurance. SU Karlsson ticks all the key boxes; low input costs, good biomass production, high brown rust resistance and a phenomenal ability to find moisture – even when there was virtually no rain between April and July.
“Harvesting between July 6 and 10, SU Karlsson achieved an average fresh-weight yield of 51.03t/ha, matching the higher end of our five-year farm average. It looks an exceptionally good variety and we’ll be substantially increasing our area of it this autumn.
“If hotter, drier springs and summers become the new normal and market demand continues to grow, then hybrid rye has to become a bigger part of the conversation,” he adds.
Toby Reich, head of agricultural sales at Elsoms Seeds, which introduced and commercialised SU Karlsson in the UK on behalf of Saaten Union, concludes: “We have always had great confidence in SU Karlsson since bringing it to market, and it is extremely pleasing to see that confidence being validated in commercial farm situations across the country.
“The combination of outstanding drought resilience, consistent high yield performance and genuine dual-purpose flexibility is helping more growers recognise the potential of hybrid rye within future arable rotations.
“As farming businesses continue to adapt to changing weather patterns, rising input costs and evolving market opportunities, the Elsoms Seeds hybrid rye portfolio is proving it can deliver both agronomic and economic value, whether grown for grain or for AD.”
Share