Sunflowers success as new high energy crop (From Western Telegraph)

Sunflowers success as new high energy crop

Pembrokeshire's first trial crop of sunflowers could be sold to the lucrative bird seed market.

The three-acre crop is in flower at Mountain Farm, Broad Haven, and is due to be harvested in September.

Growing conditions have been ideal for this high protein crop, says grower, Phil Rees, who runs the farm and nearby Creampots Farm in partnership with his father and also works as a crops specialist with Clynderwen and Cardiganshire Farmers Ltd.

The arable and livestock producer planted the sunflowers in April after extensively researching alternative high energy crops for his customers. Trial data in Canada concluded that the crop, mixed with barley and wheat and fed at a rate of two pounds per dairy cow, increased milk output. The fat content was reduced but protein levels were boosted.

It has responded well to the Pembrokeshire climate, one of the key points of the trial.

It is thought to be the first time the crop has been grown on a commercial scale in Pembrokeshire.

'Part of my job is to advise farmers on how they can grow crops to provide their own protein and is one of the reasons we planted the sunflowers,' said Phil.

'The crop has done extremely well. Every seed seems to have germinated and they have had a good amount of sunshine and moisture. It will only be successful, though, if it can be harvested at a reasonably early stage.' He will be aiming for a moisture level no higher than 11% with a yield of between one and one-and-a-half tonnes an acre.

He plans to sell the harvested crop for use in the bird seed market. That market is dominated by the east of England and foreign growers. My father and I were looking at ways of making the farm business more profitable. For us this is a form of diversification, Phil added.

'If we can develop it as an alternative business there is every chance we will grow them again.'

The crop, all 50,000 blooms, is currently in full flower but will soon begin to lose its petals.

It will be cut in the autumn with a conventional combine harvester.

CAPTION: A scene reminiscent of a Van Gogh oil painting dominates the Pembrokeshire landscape near Broad Haven. Arable farmer Phil Rees (pictured) is growing three acres of sunflowers at Mountain Farm for the bird seed market.

PICTURE: Western Telegraph.