Three varieties of spring beans have made it onto the recommended list, which was published by the Department of Agriculture this week. Lynx has been around a long time, Protina has been on the list since 2024 and this year Callas has been added to the list, see table 1.

Lynx and Protina will take up the majority of the seed area, but Callas will have enough seed for growers to try it out. Although demand for beans is reported to be poor among the trade so growers will need to find a market before they plant.

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Dairygold release a minimum price offer for beans of €230/t last week.

Lynx and Protina match on yield, while Callas is one point behind.

Protina’s name describes its higher protein content. It has a protein score of 104, compared to 102 for Callas and 100 for Lynx. This may make it more attractive in the feed mills.

Ripening time is an important trait in spring beans. Both Protina and Callas score a seven for earliness of maturity, while Lynx rates a six.

This might make them a little earlier. Lynx and Protina are matching on resistance to lodging and brackling, although Lynx is 1cm taller than the other two varieties on the list.

Callas falls behind by one point on brackling resistance. All varieties are similar on disease resistance. Lynx falls behind by one point on resistance to rust. All rate a six for resistance to chocolate spot, so this will need to be prevented and treated early. All rate fairly well on resistance to downy mildew with a score of seven.