No stranger to high yields Tim Lamyman of Worlaby Farms in Lincolnshire has harvested a crop of LG Stallion peas that has yielded 5.6t/ha at 14.76% moisture- a very impressive performance in what has been a most challenging season for pulse crops.
Based on the success of last year’s yields, Mr Lamyman opted to grow the variety again as LG Stallion remains one of the highest yielding large blue peas on the PGRO Recommended List, showing a 2% yield advantage over Prophet and 9% ahead of Campus, combined with good standing.
The peas follow a second wheat in the seven year rotation which also includes wheats, spring barley and oilseed rape. “The field chosen for the crop is much like last year, a grade 2 chalky loam which offers the potential for well-structured root systems enabling easier nutrient uptake, which I believe is key to a high yielding crop,” says Mr Lamyman.
Prior to seed being drilled the field was ploughed, followed by two passes with a Lemkin Terradisc and then finished with a Vaderstad carrier (discs and crumble roller). Once satisfied with the seed bed, LG Stallion was drilled by a Vaderstad Rapid with the coulters set at a 4 inch row width.
“Drilled on 14th April, the LG Stallion seed was treated with Wakil XL + GPA, the aim of this being to get early downy mildew control from the Wakil XL and better root development as well as plant establishment with the phosphite-based nutrient GPA. Established plant populations were 85 plants/m2”, he says.
“We learnt a lot from last year’s crop with regards to foliar applications, so these have been slightly tweaked by using XStress, as we did get some leaf scorch last year which will have had an impact on photosynthesis,”
“Last year, we did have an issue with virus in the crop, so this year we paid particular attention to that applying aphox early. We also applied an early insecticide application of Hallmark to control weevil damage.”
Peter Busfield of Dunns, was in the combine as the crop was harvested on the 7th August. “The crop combined easily and stood well. The pods sat higher on the stems facilitating free movement of air and this helps even ripening and keep disease out. After a very dry summer, the yield, colour retention and marketability of the variety should enable it to claim its rightful place in the market.”
Dunns (Long Sutton) Ltd took an early interest in the variety, and have the crop with Tim Lamyman on a seed production contract, but with the view to make human consumption grade to aid some end-user testing, so we are thrilled with these harvest results, adds Dunns managing director, Chris Guest.
Franek Smith president of BEPA agrees. “LG Stallion has shown that it not only yields excellently, but produces top quality for human consumption and micronising markets. Tim Lamyman should be proud of the yield he has achieved this year in the light of difficult, dry conditions after a cold, wet spring. “
“Having a variety that suits both farmers and the end consumers is paramount to success, from Mr Lamyman’s sample, LG Stallion appears to fit the bill.”
