2008 promises to be a good year for peas based on the views of both farmers and breeders. Trials have shown an increased performance with yields in general 5-10% above the 5-year mean.  

Les Daubney, pulse product manager of Nickerson, summed up the positive feeling within the seed trade:  "It has been a good summer for peas and, despite the difficult harvest conditions, yields are fulfilling their early promise. Pea crops established well and the showery summer kept the crops growing and flowering over a long period. We are seeing some very high yields in trials and on farm with leading varieties, such as Prophet, doing particularly well."

Mr Daubney's comments were reinforced by Theo Labuda, managing director of LS Plant Breeders: "As trials data starts to come in, they confirm our view that pulse yields are looking promising with all leading varieties having a good year. New varieties, such as the white pea Gregor, offer great promise for the future".

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