This year, the Scottish government has made changes to the Ecological Focus Area (EFA), which is a requirement under the enhanced greening section of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).

The changes include:

– The removal of the 75% exemption for temporary grassland
– The removal of the 75% exemption for grassland on claimed land

However, this does not apply if the farm is exempt from the enhanced greening requirements, due to it being certified organic or having less than 15ha of non-organic arable land.  

James Frazer, Nickerson Seed Specialist, is happy to help you meet the new EFA requirements

The number of options has increased to 11 – they can be used on their own or in combination, to meet the EFA requirement:

All the options are listed below:

• – Fallow land
  – Margins
  – Catch crops
  – Green cover
  – Nitrogen-fixing crops
  – Hedges
  – Agroforestry
  – Low input grassland
  – Herb and legume rich pastures
  – Alternative EFA agro forestry option
  – Unharvested crop

At Nickerson, we can supply bespoke mixtures that adhere to many of the above options.

Please contact James Frazer or Douglas Bonn for further information.

Maize is one of my favourite crops to talk about. There is such a substantial difference between the vast array of maize varieties currently on the market – perhaps more so than any other crop species.

When I am speaking to my customers regarding variety choice for the upcoming season, I consider many factors before making a variety recommendation. These factors can include soil type, field aspect, end-use, drilling period and intended harvest date, amongst others. All these factors must be considered in order to choose the correct varieties for your farm.

Within my area, there has been a notable uptick in attention to variety choice, due to the extremely varied and challenging seasons we have had in recent years. The vast differences between the 2024 season, which saw crops mature later than normal, compared to 2025, which has been incredibly early, has thrown confusion into variety choice for this coming year.

Variety choice plays a key role in overcoming abnormal climatic conditions, so it is reassuring to know that there is a spectrum of different varieties out there, and there will certainly be one to fit on your farm.

We have also had more disease pressure in 2025, along with increasingly common pests, such as the European corn borer, which is making its way further north every year. I always try to encourage my customers to think about the above factors when looking at variety choice, to help mitigate risks in the coming growing season.

However, even with all these challenges we face, we can still produce an excellent quality crop. Whether it is for forage, crimping or anaerobic digestion, we have the varieties and experience to best guide our growers to the correct variety choice.

Download the brand new 2026 Nickerson Seed Book here featuring all our maize varieties!

As someone who works closely with UK growers every day, I’ve seen how pulses (peas and beans) are a key part of sustainable farming. They’re not just a great source of protein for both human and animal diets, but also improve soil health and reduce input costs.

We have been involved in many studies using home grown proteins in animal diets, to replace imported soya, thereby saving costs and reducing environmental impact.

At Nickerson, we work alongside our colleagues in Limagrain, who have a diverse Pulse Portfolio – not just in terms of yield, but also in traits like disease resistance, early maturity, strong standing ability and market access. These are the things that really matter when it comes to getting the most out of your crop.

Pulses fix nitrogen naturally, helping to cut down the need for artificial fertilisers, which we all know are getting more expensive and difficult to source. They also help with better weed control and benefit the following crops in the rotation, like cereals and oilseeds.

It’s a win-win for both productivity and sustainability.

One variety I’m particularly excited about is LG Eagle – a spring bean that’s delivering high yields and excellent disease resistance. It matures early and stands well, which means fewer harvest losses and more flexibility. It’s suitable for a range of markets; from human consumption to fish feed and animal protein.

LG Spring Beans have strong disease resistance, early maturity, and they deliver high yields.

On the pea side, LG Corvet is a standout yellow combining pea. It’s got top-tier downy mildew resistance and a high protein content. Its short stature and strong standing ability make for easy combining.

As a Nickerson Seed Specialist, I’m here to help you choose the right variety for your location and cropping system.

Whether you’re looking to improve soil health, reduce inputs, or tap into new market opportunities, pulses are a great choice, and we offer varieties to fit all these situations.

If you’d like to chat about how pulses could fit into your rotation, or want to learn more about the latest varieties, please give your local Nickerson Seed Specialist a call.

Welcome to the first EVER Nickerson Seed Book!

Click to download your copy of the new guide!

For the very first time, you’ll find our entire range brought together in one place – Cereals, Pulses, Oilseed Rape, Maize, Circle Leys grass mixtures, plus our specialist Forage and Environmental seeds. A full catalogue designed to give you clarity, choice, and confidence when it comes to your seed decisions.

Nickerson are the Original Seed Specialists. For over 75 years, we’ve supplied seed and advice to British farmers – trusted by generations because we understand the job, the challenges, and what it takes to grow a successful crop. Our history gives us provenance. Our experience gives you peace of mind. When you choose Nickerson, you are not just buying seed – you are investing in a partnership.

That partnership is delivered through our nationwide team of Nickerson Seed Specialists. These are not simply salespeople – they are experts, practical thinkers, and trusted advisors. They know farming, they know seed, and they take the time to understand your business. Their role is simple: to help you make the best choice for every field, every season.

We are proud of our heritage, but we never stand still.

Farming is changing – new pressures, new opportunities, new demands on every hectare. Our job is to make sure you have the right seed, the right advice, and the right support to meet those challenges head-on.

This brochure is designed to help you do exactly that. It brings our portfolio together in one clear guide – from high-yielding cereals and resilient oilseed rape to productive maize, proven grass mixtures, and targeted environmental options. Every product has been selected, tested, and supported by Nickerson, so you can choose with confidence.

Quality seed. Trusted advice. Unmatched service. That has been our promise for over 75 years – and it remains our promise today.

Take a look at our 2026 Seed Book today.

As the 2025 autumn drilling season draws to a close, I have now completed my first full season with Nickerson.

James Frazer

There will be some more wheat to be drilled after potatoes but on the whole, most farms have completed their drilling campaign for crop 2026. The ’25 growing season has been challenging due to the extreme weather conditions that growers have faced. The dry spring allowed spring crops to be established early in good conditions, but the crops were soon needing moisture and yields have suffered as a result.

The winter crops, by contrast, were established in good conditions in autumn ’24 and although there has been some loss of yield potential due to moisture stress, the yields have been very good for winter wheat, barley and oilseed rape.

The oilseed rape especially, has been the standout crop on most farms that include it in their rotation, with many yields reported around or above 5t/ha! 

The role with Nickerson has helped me increase my knowledge of varieties of all crops, which has allowed me to better advise my customers.

LG Typhoon

For winter barley growers, both LG Caravelle and LG Capitol are equally good options. Oilseed rape growers have a plentiful number of varieties to choose from, with LG Adapt giving another step up in yield, alongside the established LG Armada and LG Ambassador. LG Anarion is still a robust variety for farms with shorter brassica rotations.

LG Rebellion

Wheat growers have a choice of variety for each sowing position. LG Typhoon is suitable for the early sowing slot from the start of September, and LG Beowulf is a good option for the mid and late drilling slot. For late drilling, which is predominantly after potatoes or vegetables, LG Redwald offers a very high yield potential.

Although LG Skyscraper has been on the market for several years, it has shown its resilience, and it is still a good option for the mid to late slot. This year, many farmers have commented that it has yielded around 12.5 t/ha in many different parts of the country.

Another variety that gives growers a different option is LG Rebellion. It has an early maturity of -1, without losing a lot of yield. In fact, it was one of our top yielding varieties in the LG Perth trial site.

With this season over, I’m already looking forward to the next one, and I’m eager to see how new LG varieties are performing on farm.

For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact your local Nickerson Seed Specialist.

As forage becomes scarcer, due to changing weather every year, stubble turnips may be a good and quick growing alternative, to see livestock through the autumn and winter months.

Not only this, but they also offer benefits when it comes to soil fertility, soil structure and blackgrass control, and they can work as a catch crop if established early enough in the season, prior to drilling an autumn crop.

Depending on when the turnips are required for grazing, establishment can be anywhere from April (for summer feeding) to early August, if they are required for overwinter feeding. Any later than this, then there is a risk that the turnips will produce more leaf and less bulb.

They can be established either by drilling or broadcast, but in both cases, a good seed bed is required and ideally establish on free draining soils with good drainage, as grazing livestock could cause a mess/ damage when wet.

If drilling, establish at 4kg/ha and if broadcasting, establish at 8kg/ha. Sowing-grazing is 12-14 weeks, and livestock can either be put to grazing immediately after establishment, or it can be left longer to allow bulbs to swell.

If grazing lambs, they should be introduced gradually and other sources of fodder, such as baled silage, should be provided, in order to encourage them to eat the bulbs, otherwise they will only be interested in the leaf. For all types of livestock, fencing is required and should be moved accordingly to manage feedstocks.

As stubble turnips are a brassica, it is important to be aware of potential diseases such as club root and cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB). To minimise these, ensure good crop rotation is in place and monitor growth for CSFB damage, as this can lead to significant yield reduction and/or crop failure, if not treated accordingly. Furthermore, if oilseed rape is grown in the rotation, ensure it is not in close proximity to it (to protect both crops), and control volunteers prior to establishment.

Variety wise, we have 3 options, depending on requirements.

Firstly, Samson is a top selling variety due to its palatability and large tankard bulbs, which produce ample forage for both sheep and cattle.

Secondly, Hector’s bulbs sit proudly above the ground, meaning less wastage, however, the biggest disadvantage to this is that they are less winter hardy, so best utilised as summer/ autumn grazing.

Lastly, Rondo would be the choice for post-Christmas grazing, due to its good root anchorage, resulting in better protection from frost.

We also have bulbless varieties such as Skyfall, and rape hybrids such as Tyfon, which both produce leafier material, better suited for later establishment. These can also be established alongside bulb varieties, to provide extended resources.

For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact your local Nickerson Seed Specialist.

Unprecedented dry conditions last spring meant that many farms across the UK are now faced with reduced winter feedstocks.

Silage has been used on many farms to buffer feed throughout the summer, to ensure welfare and productivity from livestock, which has eaten into already reduced feed levels. September 2025 saw much of the UK have reasonably good levels of rainfall, which then led to good growth rates from grass and forage crops. This will help to prolong grazing and could offer an opportunity for a later cut of silage.

Spring 2025 was the sixth driest on record, with the UK experiencing 40% less rainfall than average. Summer 2025 also became the warmest and sunniest on record, forcing many areas into drought.

Weather patterns are becoming increasingly erratic. How can the risks be mitigated through cropping rotations?

Humbolt Rye is a forage rye variety bred specifically for UK conditions. It can be drilled from September to mid-October, and grows quickly to cover the soil over winter, helping to prevent erosion and intake leftover nutrients from the previous crop. With strong early growth, it’s ideal for early cattle turnout or zero grazing, producing around 5 to 6 tonnes of dry matter per hectare, to support reduced silage stocks.

Catch Crop mixtures can be used to extend grazing in late autumn/ winter. The combination of stubble turnip, forage rape and kale, offer rapid growth, good protein and energy levels, as well as being winter hardy. It can be grazed 12-14 weeks after sowing, if sown ideally by the end of August. Mixtures such as ‘Meat Maker’, offer high yields and palatability at a good price point.

A robust reseeding programme will ensure that stocks of ensiled feed aren’t as relied upon during periods of dry weather. Grass mixtures which contain hybrid ryegrass fare better in drier periods, due to their deeper root systems. Grass mixtures that contain high yielding, intermediate varieties of ryegrass will also offer earlier growth, reducing the pressure in spring for prolonged feeding of silage.

The Nickerson Circle Ley grass range offers grass mixtures to suit a range of systems. Long term mixtures, to increase yield and quality, as well as shorter term leys, to follow crops of maize, with subsequent high yielding grass crops to increase silage stocks. Our unique GPA dressing will assist with increased germination rates and greater root mass, ensuring the ley gets off to the best start possible.

For more information about planning your rotation to cope with periods of challenging weather patterns, please don’t hesitate to contact your local Nickerson Seed Specialist.

Harvesting maize at the correct maturity is crucial for ensuring optimal yield, quality, and nutritional value.

Harvesting too early can lead to underdeveloped grain, lower starch and excess effluent, whilst waiting too long may result in losses of feed value, digestibility and palatability. With the very challenging conditions this year, assessing crop maturity is crucial for optimising quality. Below are some important points to consider:

Understand the Importance of Maturity

Maize maturity directly impacts its starch content, moisture levels, and overall quality. For silage, harvesting at the right stage ensures the best fermentation and feed value. For grain maize, the crop needs to reach a moisture content of 25-35% (DM of 65-75%), before being combined. The crop must be left longer in the field to dry down, to ensure maximum yield and storability.

Key Indicators of Maize Maturity

2. – Kernel Milk Line

The milk line is a visual indicator of kernel maturity. It appears as a dividing line between the starchy and milky parts of the kernel. As the maize matures, this line moves from the top of the kernel toward the base. Harvest for silage is ideal when the milk line is about two-thirds to three-quarters down the kernel for silage. For grain maize, wait until the milk line disappears entirely, indicating full maturity.

1. – Black Layer Formation

The black layer is a small, dark spot that forms at the base of the kernel when it reaches physiological maturity. This is a sign that the maize has stopped accumulating dry matter. For grain maize, this is the ideal time to harvest, as the moisture content will have dropped to around 25-35%.

1. – Cob and Husk Appearance

Cob Colour: Mature cobs often turn from green to a reddish or brownish hue.

Husk Texture: The husks will feel dry and papery when the maize is ready for harvest.

Kernel Hardness: Mature kernels are firm and dented, with no milky liquid when pressed.

Field Observations

Uniformity: Check multiple plants across the field to ensure uniform maturity. Variability in planting dates or soil conditions can lead to uneven ripening, especially in a year such as this

Plant Health: Look for signs of disease or pest damage, as these can affect the timing of harvest. Early harvesting may be necessary in cases of severe infestation.

Timing Tips

Weather Considerations: Wet or cold growing seasons, like the one experienced in 2024, can delay maturity. Be patient and monitor the crop closely.

Harvest Window: For silage, aim to harvest within a narrow window to maintain quality. For grain maize, allow time for natural drying in the field, but avoid leaving it too long to prevent losses from lodging or pests.

Tools to Assist

LG Maize Manager App. This app is free to download and walks you through step by step to gauge plant maturity in the field.  Download the LG Maize Manager App here

Visual Guides: Use charts or photos of maize at different stages of maturity to compare with your crop.

Expert Advice: Consult your local Nickerson Seed Specialist who can provide tailored advice based on your region and crop conditions.

By combining visual cues, moisture measurements, and field observations, you can make informed decisions to maximize your yield and quality.

The Nickerson team once again attended the Bath & West Dairy Show, based near Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

This year, we were based in the Showering Pavilion, opposite the cattle arena. It is always great to see the hard work and commitment so many put into their stock, really pay off. I have been attending this event since I was young and although the site and stands remain similar, what attendees show and sell has definitely changed!

That goes for seed too; varieties, regardless of species, have moved on so much in the past decade. With the sheer number of different varieties and mixtures on the market, coupled with the Single Farm Incentive (SFI) and other environmental schemes, it can be difficult to know what to do.

This is where we, as Seed Specialists, can help you to make it all a bit clearer!

There is often a theme when talking to customers on a show stand. The recurring theme on stand at this year’s show was variability. Whether that be levels of forage in stock for the winter, or progress through maize harvest, it all comes down to who caught the rain and who sadly did not. I can say from my own experience, that west of Cardiff and South Wales has been lucky, as has Devon and Cornwall. Whereas, central and Southern areas have had to contend with a serious forage shortfall. 

There is little that can be done about that now of course, although there is still time to put in catch crop mixtures to maximise home grown forage for the winter and into the spring.

Options at this point in the season could include short and long-term leys, wholecrop options or forage rye, which is often overlooked, but can be grazed in situ or zero grazed.

Another takeaway from this season, particularly in drought hit areas, is that the smallest differences can have the biggest effects. Soil type for example, has affected how well crops have done this year more than most, even soil type differences within the same field have been quite easy to spot.

As our weather is getting more and more extreme, rotation planning, cultivation methods, drilling dates and many more factors, are all things which can have a significant difference on the outcome and success of your crops.

Contact your Nickerson Seed Specialist for the best advice for your specific farm needs.

LG Rebellion; an early high yielding, hard wheat for the south-west

In recent years, south-west England has seen increasing interest in hard feed wheats, that offer both yield and adaptability. One variety making waves is LG Rebellion; a Group 4 hard feed wheat from Limagrain, which brings together several traits, especially suited to the climate and soils of this region.

Taken mid-November 2024, LG Rebellion on the right, versus a competitor variety

LG Rebellion builds on the agronomic pedigree of KWS Extase but improves in key areas. It’s early to mature, which is a big plus in the south-west, where weather windows for harvest can be tight. Early maturity gives growers more flexibility for arranging subsequent cropping or mitigating risk of late season weather damage. With this in mind, late drilling is also a viable option with LG Rebellion.

Yield potential is another strong point. Trials indicate LG Rebellion delivers very strong untreated yields, comparable or even exceeding many other hard varieties. It’s disease resistance profile is robust; good resistance to yellow rust and Septoria, and it carries Pch1 eyespot resistance – a valuable trait where eyespot can be a threat under damp conditions.

Sown in October 2023, LG Rebellion established well by early April and by mid-May, it had romped away!

In the souh-west, soils range from heavier clay loams to lighter sandy soils, often with significant rainfall, especially during autumn and winter. Crops here endure a combination of wet conditions, risk of disease pressure, and sometimes slower seedbed drying.

A wheat variety that matures earlier, with strong disease resistance, helps reduce these risks. LG Rebellion’s stiffness of straw and earlier harvest window are valuable assets.

On balance, LG Rebellion looks like a strong option for wheat growers in the south-west. Its combination of excellent yield, earlier maturity, and resistance traits, make it well suited to the climatic and disease pressures of the area.

For farmers looking to spread harvest workload, reduce risk, and maintain quality, LG Rebellion seems to tick many of the right boxes.

LG Rebellion yielded 1 t/ acre more than the competitor variety.

We have a number of new wheat varieties in the LG portfolio this year.

The first to look out for is LG Shergar, a newcomer on the Recommended List for 2025. Although a Group 2 variety with breadmaking potential, LG Shergar is largely grown as a feed wheat meaning it offers a lot of marketing flexibility.  It is suited to most soil types, but performs best on heavy, fertile soil and it is a short, stiffed strawed variety with good resistance to lodging.

LG Shergar is best suited for the first wheat drilling slot, but its flexibility allows it to perform well as a second wheat too, meaning it can be drilled into February. With a specific weight of 80.4, it is the highest on the Recommended List of all the Group 1s and 2s, contributing to a higher yield and looked upon favourably by end users. With high yields particularly in the North and an excellent disease resistance package, I think this variety will be a strong choice for many Yorkshire growers and am particularly excited to see what it does on farm, in areas like Holderness.

We are hosting our Rothwell demo day on 8^th July, so please come along and see how LG Shergar has performed in trials as well as view our other varieties, including Nickerson’s exclusive variety LG Rebellion.

When growing maize for grain, it is important to understand all the characteristics and possible limitations of your soil. Weather patterns and varietal choice are also key to ensuring you have a crop that is going to reach its full potential at harvest.

As a grower you consider the best site, the correct establishment method and the most appropriate varieties for your conditions. The portfolio of Limagrain varieties have been bred to be adaptable. As Nickerson seed specialists, we are well versed in the characteristics and growth habits of individual varieties within the Limagrain stable, making us best placed to advise on suitability.

Varieties for grain maize recommended by Nickerson include LG30.179, Ambition, Promise, Prospect and our new variety LG31.160. These are all rated highly in terms of standing, disease resistance and all-important yield.

The newest grain maize variety I have to offer on farm is LG31.160. With good yields of 9.2 t/ha @ 15% moisture and reduced harvest moisture content of 24.6 % means drying costs can be lower, compared to previous varieties that are harvested wetter.

Harvesting later than forage maize, due to the time required for the grain to dry down as much as possible, can lead to combining maize in worse conditions. Having a cob that dries down rapidly without losing yield or quality is crucial. This is where LG31.160 excels with its rapid dry down characteristic.

Selecting the right site is crucial. Maize is a crop that favours sheltered locations with a south-facing aspect which will allow for earlier drilling and will maintain soil temperatures for longer in early spring. With maize being a crop so reliant on heat units, it is imperative to give the crop the best chance, given the UK’s unpredictable weather patterns.

Sheltered fields offer higher retention of heat units in the canopy as well as reduced chance of lodging. The recommended maximum altitude for maize is 1,000 feet (300m) above sea level.

Maize favours sandy/

sandy loam soils, a well aerated soil structure and no compaction. Clay soils hold water and can be slow to warm up. However, maize can be grown on soils with a clay content of up to 25% if earlier drilling is achieved.

Chalk is unsuitable due to slow warm up in the spring and can reflect sunlight. However, chalk downland soils can support maize if soil depth is sufficient. Poorly aerated soils will limit root formation and can cause premature crop senescence.

Grain Maize should be drilled at a lower seed rate, around 35,000 to 37,500 seeds per acre, compared to forage maize which should be grown at around 42,000 seeds per acre. This gives more space per plant, allowing cobs to increase in size due to increased sunlight penetration into the lower canopy of each plant.