Arable
Red Baron onion variety wins NIAB Centenary Cup
nion variety Red Baron has been awarded the NIAB Centenary Varie- ty Cup – for being the most in- fl uential UK non-cereal variety from the past 100 years. Contenders for the award in-
O
cluded non-cereal varieties from the past century across the horti- culture and agriculture sectors. They were assessed for their ag- ronomic value, market infl uence and lasting impact, most notably in their use in plant breeding pro- grammes.
The cup was fi rst awarded in
1986 to the caulifl ower White Rock and most recently in 2015 to the perennial ryegrass Ab- ergreen. But this year’s award – which coincides with NIAB’s centenary – sought to recognise
excellence in plant breeding that goes beyond the norm. NIAB technical director Bill Clark said: “There were many worthwhile and well-known candidates including the potato Maris Piper, Apex winter oilseed rape, Roberta sugar beet and the white clover Aberystwyth S184. But the variety that stood out was Red Baron.” Red Baron was one of the fi rst red onion varieties that paved the way for the widespread success of the vegetable in the late 1980s, with consumer demand for red onions fuelled by TV cookery pro- grammes and its use in the res- taurant and fast food trade. In 2019, Red Baron is still con- sidered the industry standard de- spite being launched in 1985 and
NIAB chairman Jim Godfrey presents Robin Wood of Elsoms with the Centenary Cup
fi rst appearing in Elsoms’ vegeta- ble catalogue in 1991. It achieved a 95% market share at its peak and still commands 20% of sales almost 35 years later. Bred in the Netherlands, Red Baron is still distributed in the UK by Elsoms. Deputy chairman Robin Wood said it remained an outstanding and reliable red bulb
onion at the forefront of increas- ing demand for red onions in the UK market. “I recall trialling Red Baron in small-scale demonstration plots in the mid-80s, when the red on- ion marketplace was in its infan- cy,” says Mr Wood. “Since then, it’s been clear that Red Baron has led the fi eld in varietal choice.”
The yeast specialists
Manitou Bellanita
Specialist breeder and supplier of high grade seed potatoes
Biocell farm mix contains a unique strain of pure live yeast. Unlike other yeasts, Biocell also works in the gut, improving the absorption of essential nutrients, and making it suitable for pre-ruminant calves in the form of Biocell Lac, which is added to milk replacer or whole milk.
For more information on any of our varieties Call: 01307 840 551
Email:
potatoes@agrico.co.uk www.agrico.co.uk @agrico_uk
22 ANGLIA FARMER •DECEMBER 2019
Biocell farm mix is easily mixed with cereals or forages. This ensures the correct daily level is fed for maximum benefit thus avoiding waste.
Visit Alec Ross on stand H126 | Biocell Agri Limited 07718 905 625 |
www.biocellagri.com
growth, say
Say Agrico.
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