The Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) has launched a simplified, online crop YEN network for linseed growers called Linseed YEN Lite. Developed with key funding from linseed merchant Premium Crops, the aim of Linseed YEN Lite is to give growers a simplified, online way to measure and track their crop performance year on year without requiring to collect samples from the field.
Nigel Padbury, Sales and Marketing Manager at Premium Crops said:
“Attracted by the concept of YEN to support and energise on-farm learning-by-sharing, Premium Crops have been proud sponsors for the Oilseeds YEN for several years. By supporting the development of Linseed YEN Lite we are aiming to enable linseed growers to access the same YEN benefits more easily and at a more affordable cost.”
Linseed YEN Lite members are asked to simply submit their own soil descriptions and summaries of their agronomy decisions throughout the year. ADAS crop researchers will then supplement this information with available weather, agronomy, and soil data for that grower’s locality.
Ben Hague, ADAS Crop Research Consultant and project lead said:
“We want YEN to be accessible to as many growers as possible so we launched this YEN Lite to offer growers a quick and simple way to understand their linseed performance, with a focus on optimising agronomy. By having all entry done online without the need for lab analysis, it’s also significantly cheaper to enter independently.”
Post-harvest YEN report to ‘fine-tune’ crop management
Post harvest, Linseed Lite members will receive a short bespoke report detailing how their 2024 crop compares to the linseed crops of other members on over 30 different factors including agronomy and resource availability. The report will also reveal how close that grower came to reaching their maximum possible yield based on known light and water availability on their farm.
Ben commented “Crop growth entirely depends on the ability of the crop to capture all the water and light it needs. Finding ways to maximise that ability is key to enhancing yields and once you have your post-harvest YEN report, it will help you see how best to fine-tune your crop management - whether that be optimising nitrogen inputs or changing sowing rates.
Free entry available for new entrants
This year, sponsored places are available to cover the cost of entry for new growers to join Linseed YEN Lite. However, these sponsored places are limited. For those wishing to enter independently, entry for 2024 costs £150 + VAT.
Linseed YEN Lite membership includes a free ticket to the Annual YEN Awards Conference, an opportunity to network with progressive cereal, oilseed, and pulse growers from across Europe and industry leaders. Entrants also have the option of entering a competition for best Spring or Winter linseed yield and best percentage of potential yield.
Read more about Linseed YEN Lite on this webpage or register to take part in Linseed YEN Lite through this sign up form.