The greater use of hybrid seed varieties could help to secure the faster utilisation of improved genetic ‘gain’ within the Irish grain sector, according to a leading agri-seed specialist.

John Burgess, who has a track record in the international plant breeding sector, believes Ireland should "speed-up" the selection of genetics from the European Union (EU) common catalogue in key crops such as barley, oilseed rape, maize and beet.

Burgess, who recently set up the AgroÉireann seed consultancy, said seed and variety trialing should be broadened to "strengthen the scrutiny" of selection beyond the main suppliers of seed.

The seed specialist is forecasting that Irelands’ tillage area expansion of plus 6% in 2022 will attract attention from European plant breeders.

Burgess said this is because the crop acreage in central and western Europe has suffered from drought, soil erosion and other climate extremes.

He has detailed how crop area fuels investment decisions.

Currently seed choices offered to Irish farmers directly follow the trade flow, and Ireland unlike the UK, but excluding Northern Ireland, retains full EU common catalogue access.

Burgess said this will make Ireland an attractive proposition.

 “This key principle allows all member states to cultivate the same variety," he added.

Burgess is keen to point out that all field crops, apart from grass or potatoes, are bred outside of Ireland.

The agri-seed specialist also contends that hybrid barleys will become more mainstream in advance of 2030.

Burgess believes that this in turn means that the use of farm-saved seed will decline.