Testing has revealed hidden vigour and germination problems in both wheat and barley farm-saved seed, according to Dalgety On-Farm Seed-Processing unit operators supporting Masstock group agronomists across the UK. Generally seed lots harvested before the rain have fared well. But some growers across the UK have had to scrap their FSS plans and buy in certified seed after overnight tests of samples showed massive variability in the quality of later-cut crops earmarked for drilling this autumn. "Vigour is the biggest issue farm-saved seed growers in the West are facing this year," notes agronomist Graham Jenkins from Ludlow-based Prince, Doyle and Jenkins. "Growers should save the high vigour seed for later plantings or consider raising the seed rate." A test is vital this year, he advises. This can now be done in as little as 24 hours by Dalgety. The company has a nationwide network of labs, set up to back up its leading Master Seeds certified seed brand, that can give overnight results on vigour, germination, thousand grain weight and a host of seed-borne diseases. Fusarium and screenings have been a problem in East Anglia, reports Mark Taylor, national On-Farm Seed-Processing manager for Dalgety. "This has been the year when it's been especially important to have your seed tested and it's really paid to have an experienced operator handling it," he notes. "Seed lots harvested before the rain set in were fine - many of the horror stories we were expecting didn't materialise. But we've removed over 20% in screenings from poorer samples. We know the sort of samples farmers need and wouldn't put into the bag what we wouldn't want to drill ourselves."

Dalgety's mobile seed plants operate to the same standards as their static plants. Each is staffed by NPTC-qualified operators such as Doug Marshall, seen here loading treated seed following processing.

In Lincolnshire the samples have been "quite horrific" according to Sam Martin, who runs the mobile unit based in Lincoln. "We've seen a lot of Fusarium and quite a few samples have failed on germination and vigour. It's worse than I've seen in the past - there's not the bulk in the grain you'd usually find."

In one case a 50-tonne order was cancelled at the last minute after the Dalgety overnight test revealed germination of just 64% and low vigour. "Generally you can see just by looking at the sample which growers managed to time their harvest right. But the test has been vital to reveal the hidden dangers this year," says Mr Martin, who has 11 years experience on mobile units and is operating the company's new machine in the area.

"We've achieved some marvellous feats with it," he reports. "It has a state-of-the-art gravity separator that has impressed a lot of customers. Every man and his dog now want it on farm."

In Wiltshire the barley has been "much the same as usual" but the wheat has been hit by high screenings, says Doug Marshall, based at Dalgety's Calne depot. "Normally we would see screenings up to 15%, but this year it has been as high as 23%."

It's a somewhat different story in Scotland. "Generally the wheat quality is very good," reports Thistle Agronomy's David Steel, who operates the Dalgety mobile units out of Leven in Fife. "The bushel weights are holding up quite well and I haven't heard of a single sample that has failed following testing.

"But some of the barley looks quite ropey - tests have revealed the germination has gone and farmers have had to buy in seed instead."

One exception in the wheats has been Robigus, he notes. "It's been quite bad for sprouting - we've seen 10-15% in some cases."

And some growers have been shocked when their tests reveal up to 40% levels of Fusarium. "Some farmers had been banking on saving a seed dressing, but have had to change their minds after they received the results."

There are currently nine Dalgety On-Farm Seed-Processing units which cover nearly the whole of the UK and manage a throughput of around 10,000 tonnes. Two are based at Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln, three units now operate from Wimblington in Cambridgeshire, one from Moreton (Essex), two from Wiltshire and one in Scotland. All the units are operated by NPTC-qualified (National Proficiency Tests Council) staff with up to 25 years experience. The Dalgety 24-hour in-house testing service is also available to all growers using the mobile units. The labs uphold what is recognised as the most rigorous testing and seed standard in the business.

Masstock Arable (UK) Ltd comprises the following businesses: Acorn Agronomy; Agrownomics; AgSouth; Alan Whittaker (CPS); BBW Cropcare; Cleanacres; Clive Utting; Cropchem; Dalgety; Faulkner & Partners; FSC Agronomy; JB Agronomy; Jeff Beer Agronomy; Kenneth Wilson; Masstock Farm Consultancy; Medicrop; PCC Agronomy; Prince, Doyle & Jenkins; RM Jones; Ryehill Farmservice; Thistle Agronomy