The Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) framework of collecting in depth yield, crop physiology & nutrition, climate and agronomy data is well suited to understanding crop fundamentals. This was highlighted by the agreement of Oilseed YEN data analysis with the “conventionally” produced growth guide.
Whilst smaller than its sister projects, the Pea YEN has recently reached a data set of 104 combining pea yields in 2023. Methods for assessing crop metrics on farm were developed from 2016-18 and a standardised methodology since 2019 has led to five years worth of in depth crop data. The NCS project, led by PGRO, aims to unlock the greenhouse gas emission reduction potential of pulses for UK agriculture. This is through supporting the production and feeding of pulses to livestock, and has allowed us to take a deeper look than usual into the Pea YEN data. We aim to follow in the footsteps of the Bean YEN 2019-2021 analysis to do several things:
1) Investigate the data we have collected as a network of farmers, industry and scientists over the last 8 years to understand how the variation of the different crop metrics we have measured associates with yield. This will help us prioritise targets within our own on farm testing or as larger research projects.
2) Highlight where the Pea YEN has helped our understanding of UK pea crop growth and development so we can better manage our crops.
3) Compare and contrast information about pea crops from other climates and countries to sense check whether the learnings from international research are relevant to UK crops.
The full report available below highlights what we have learned so far, including the associations of seasonal conditions, organic material input, crop development timings and pea crop physiology with yield and quality.
A huge thank you to all the growers, agronomists and sponsors who have helped grow the network over the years.
Pea YEN 2023 Sponsors
