A Sustainable Powerhouse

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.