Sorry...this site requires a JavaScript-enabled browser.

Strong prices mean that this spring, bone marrow peas are a valuable choice for growers if they give the crops the care they need.

James Wallace of Daltons stated that greater demand for healthy snack products in the UK and Japan is driving the prospect of bone marrow fat peas.

"Bone marrow fat currently accounts for only one-third of the total UK peas market," he reports.

See also: Three pea and legume varieties added to the recommended list

"The UK produces about 30,000 tons, twice the Canadian output and six times the New Zealand output."

He added that Britain has a good reputation for the source and quality of bone marrow fat. "Our peas are considered the best. And the stock has fallen. So the market is very solid and we need more growers."

Bone marrow fat peas are very popular, and Andy Bury of Frontier Agriculture agrees. He pointed out that the current price is about £340/ton.

"This is a small professional market, and quality is the key," he said. "It is also important that the peas have a strong green color."

He pointed out that due to the lack of seed supply, it is expected that the area of ​​peas in 2015 will not increase as much as that of beans, but it is still possible to increase by 10%.

"With bone marrow fat, everything has to do with getting the job done correctly. They are suitable for growers who pay attention to detail."

He revealed that although the demand for canned peas and mushy peas is static, the main market opportunity is the entry of peas into extruded snack products.

"For this market, they are dried and roasted, and added with spices. The product line is always developing."

Mr. Wallace believes that the news that the Japanese company Calbee will open a factory in Deeside in North Wales to supply the European market is good news.

"Currently, we are sending clean samples to Japan, let them produce snacks, and then send them back here."

He reported that a good average yield is 4 tons/ha, but better producers can produce up to 5 tons/ha. "Don't drill too early. You need to wait for good conditions, because peas are not a strong root crop, so they must be well established."

He reported that although Thiraflo was also used, about two-thirds of the bone marrow fat pea seeds are now treated with Wakil (cymoxanil + fludioxonil + metalaxyl) to control downy mildew. Sakura varieties account for two-thirds of the market, and another popular variety is Kabuki.

He believes that the traditional recommendation of 70 factories per square meter may be a bit low. "There is some new work on the seed rate, but we think growers should increase it a bit."

Mr. Wallace said that another major requirement is to prioritize them when harvesting.

"Color is important for high-quality peas, so any bleaching that occurs under humid conditions is a problem."

Marrowfat peas have been contracted for cultivation at Whittome Farm near March in Cambridgeshire for the past five years.

Hugh Whittome said that although they are more difficult to grow and more variable than winter wheat, the returns are usually better.

"The risk is greater," he admitted. "But if the right methods are used, they will do well. They also help control black grass, provide fertility advantages for subsequent crops and keep the soil in good condition. In addition, they meet the new greening requirements."

Whittome Farms grows 60-80 hectares of bone marrow fat each year, with a target yield of 4.5 tons per hectare. "They are a profitable crop, especially on lighter soils, which are more suitable for them."

Mr. Whittome planted them as a resting time for wheat, including potatoes and beets, allowing him to focus on the first batch of wheat and take full advantage of the inherent fertility advantages left by the pea crop.

The 2015 contract he signed through Dalton was £345/ton. "Wheat prices have rebounded, so they are likely to be one of our best-performing crops. They also saved approximately £30 per hectare of nitrogen fertilizer in the next wheat crop."

He planted cherry blossoms, and the cherry blossoms have been kept in good condition and consistent. "It also has high-quality, uniform quality peas, which is very important to the end market."

In spring, a good, warm seedbed is essential, Mr. Whittom continued. "They don't like cold and wet soil. Therefore, we drill holes when the conditions are right, rather than drill holes by date, and make sure that the seedbed is well consolidated."

Higher seeding rates have been used in the past few years to improve the standing ability of crops and prevent predation by birds. "It also makes crops more competitive and helps control weeds."

Preemergence herbicides are responsible for most weed control, but fungicides and insecticides are needed throughout the growing season.

"Aphids and pea moths and diseases must be controlled, so the cost of growing peas may be slightly higher than wheat. Including desiccants, my chemical costs are usually higher."

However, he pointed out that they do not require fertilizers, reducing the nitrogen requirements of the next crop. 

He explained that peas were Whittome Farms' first crop because they were prepared before the wheat on the fertile ground. "We are always dry, so harvesting is very simple. Then we store them on the farm at 15% humidity."

Using a contractor can save you time and money. Now you can book, track and pay in one place. Register now for Early Access.

Visit our technical knowledge center for practical agricultural advice