A question for Brussel Sprout growers

[Devil's advocate]

You know Lads go to the US & Australlia to see big farming.

But such as Clements must be up there as one of the busiest farming companies in the world.

 

[Luke20]

You know Lads go to the US & Australlia to see big farming.

But such as Clements must be up there as one of the busiest farming companies in the world.

Yes very busy, idk how they do it. going 25+ miles from their yard carting through boston (what can take 30-45 mins to get through boston alone at peak times) paying upwards of £300/ac for rent and they say there is no money in growing for the supermarkets

 

[Devil's advocate]

Yes very busy, idk how they do it. going 25+ miles from their yard carting through boston (what can take 30-45 mins to get through boston alone at peak times) paying upwards of £300/ac for rent and they say there is no money in growing for the supermarkets

You have answered your own question.

The most money I ever made was when I supplied Somerfield with swedes.

I thought the large growers were using hook lift skips for spouts now? tractor trailer to drop them on the nearest hard standing, then lorry back to the yard.

I would be suprised if Clements did not have some sprouts growing at Fife in a joint venture (cooler climate an advantage some years)

 

[Luke20]

You have answered your own question.

The most money I ever made was when I supplied Somerfield with swedes.

I thought the large growers were using hook lift skips for spouts now? tractor trailer to drop them on the nearest hard standing, then lorry back to the yard.

I would be suprised if Clements did not have some sprouts growing at Fife in a joint venture (cooler climate an advantage some years)

Not seen any around here, still flatbeds with bins. They must make it work i suppose, scale of economy? Idea has crossed mine and my brothers mind about growing some sprouts as we are in a good location and have some good land for them but i think dad would rather pack up than grow for the supermarkets.

 

[Devil's advocate]

Not seen any around here, still flatbeds with bins. They must make it work i suppose, scale of economy? Idea has crossed mine and my brothers mind about growing some sprouts as we are in a good location and have some good land for them but i think dad would rather pack up than grow for the supermarkets.

Supermarkets actually do need Clements, they can only push them so far.

If you grew potatoes it would be for a packer, its not quite the same. I suppose Clements are packers who grow their own.

 

[S.Jamieson]

For those that sell by the stem, how are you handling them after picking in the field?

Was thinking i could do with some sort of pallet crates for handling them back to the store.

 

[Devil's advocate]

For those that sell by the stem, how are you handling them after picking in the field?

Was thinking i could do with some sort of pallet crates for handling them back to the store.

I pack them in 5's in supermarket trays &cover the floor of a curtain side trailer, then just pile them in by hand on top of the trays loose. In the afternoon pack them in cardboard boxes for delivery to market.

 

[Devil's advocate]

How are you all getting on.

Wholesale selling out price for caulies (French 8 or 11) is £33 a box tomorrow. Tesco have them at 95p but to be fair dear at that, tiny things showing severe frost damage.

I saw a pallet of Spanish broccoli lifted off a wagon £1,500 per pallet.

Wholesalers paying £1.10 each for sprout stems, £11 plus for 9kg nets of loose sprouts.

 

[Muddyroads]

How are you all getting on.

Wholesale selling out price for caulies (French 8 or 11) is £33 a box tomorrow. Tesco have them at 95p but to be fair dear at that, tiny things showing severe frost damage.

I saw a pallet of Spanish broccoli lifted off a wagon £1,500 per pallet.

Wholesalers paying £1.10 each for sprout stems, £11 plus for 9kg nets of loose sprouts.

Our local organic supplier is quoting £32 for a 10kg net of loose sprouts!

 

[Devil's advocate]

Our local organic supplier is quoting £32 for a 10kg net of loose sprouts!

I would not want to grow organic sprouts.

Sprouts are the Blue Faced Leiester of the brassica world, catch everything.

 

[Bigjon44]

Yep,bet they've got a nice bit of aphid,whitefly, caterpillar,slug

 

[Devil's advocate]

Yep,bet they've got a nice bit of aphid,whitefly, caterpillar,slug

One little nibble in September, most of the plant will be rotten now.

 

[David.]

I'm told the 15p pack of festive sprouts is again upon us. Tesco at the moment, so I shall wait a bit longer.

 

[Muddyroads]

Out of interest, this is one of my fellow Riverford growers harvesting his organic sprouts in the last few days.

Riverford

Riverford. 170,006 likes · 2,880 talking about this. Proper farmers with mud on our boots, we’ve been growing 100% organic produce for over 30 years.

www.facebook.com

 

[Devil's advocate]

I'm told the 15p pack of festive sprouts is again upon us. Tesco at the moment, so I shall wait a bit longer.

The correct price, wholesalers selling is £14 for a 9.t kg net.

So about 70p per pack. poor retailers caught in the cross fire of all this & they don't get subs.

If I could alter just one thing in farming, it would be ban planned selling below cost. A bit of selling stuff going out of date is different.

 

[S.Jamieson]

Really happy with Petrus.