Rape or Beans?

[SilliamWhale]

It hate rape. Its fussy,expensive, the seed is a rip off and its always a hassle and seems to have an industry around which eats inputs for marginal gains

I've not ordered seed yet and my enthusiasm for it is not much.

I like beans and what they do for the soil. BUT will there be too many of them next year and will I regret not growing some rape? I suppose I could always decide in the spring if the price picks up and grow some spring rape but I find that pretty tricky to grow too.

 

[Thick Farmer]

Just grow beans then.

What's the difference in the profit margin (if there is one) for each crop?

 

[SilliamWhale]

Profit?

Now your being greedy

 

[7610 super q]

Profit?

Now your being greedy

Think with this 3 crop rule nonsense,there will be a huge acreage of beans next year,will there be a home for them?

 

[SilliamWhale]

Think with this 3 crop rule nonsense,there will be a huge acreage of beans next year,will there be a home for them?

My feeling

 

[B&B Pig Man]

Think with this 3 crop rule nonsense,there will be a huge acreage of beans next year,will there be a home for them?

My feeling

Depends on seed availability surely?!

 

[SilliamWhale]

Depends on seed availability surely?!

I got seed beans fss from this year coming

 

[B&B Pig Man]

I got seed beans fss from this year coming

I grow them on a seed contract - so I'm quite pleased there is a chance of them becoming more popular - premium might go up!

 

[franklin]

I hate rape....

.....but I hate beans more.

 

[Flat 10]

If you have FSS beans for def. I would be growing beans but no option to use FSS so might do that with some OSR......

 

[jon9000]

I hate rape with a passion..... However cheaply grown and early combining makes it look good,,,, against a possibly f**ked bean market next year

 

[Brisel]

@SilliamWhale - What is that your local market?

Surely you have a ready market for beans on your doorstep? You won't make human consumption export grade in West Wales due to haulage costs to the nearest port but there's lots of feed mills around you who will be looking for protein to blend with cereals. That should be worth a few quid per tonne. The alternative is osr which has to go on a boat or to Merseyside to the nearest crush. Who buys your osr? What sort of ex farm prices do you get relative to LIFFE? I bet that you are nearly paid futures prices as you are in an are that is net importing cereals.

 

[SilliamWhale]

@SilliamWhale - What is that your local market?

Surely you have a ready market for beans on your doorstep? You won't make human consumption export grade in West Wales due to haulage costs to the nearest port but there's lots of feed mills around you who will be looking for protein to blend with cereals. That should be worth a few quid per tonne. The alternative is osr which has to go on a boat or to Merseyside to the nearest crush. Who buys your osr? What sort of ex farm prices do you get relative to LIFFE? I bet that you are nearly paid futures prices as you are in an are that is net importing cereals.

Actually I spoke to Wynnstay in Carmarthen mill recently and they don't buy beans anymore as they couldn't get a regular supply.

Rape goes to Merseyside and it does cost more per tonne to send it. We don't really get paid much more for cereals - was offered £100/t barley and £118 wheat sept the other day. Should be able to get a couple more quid out of that but not a lot. On the flipside I think the livestock boys will be buying grain at these prices.

 

[Robigus]

@SilliamWhale use cover crops for your greening requirement and you don't have to grow beans either.
I like growing beans but they can be a very dirty crop these days.