The Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO) will take ownership of the pea and bean Yield Enhancement Networks (YEN) this autumn with the aim of modernising them for today's pulse grower.

At Cereals this June, growers and agronomists can visit the PGRO's stand to get a first look at how the YENs will develop and speak to staff about what changes they would like to see. 

Streamlining data capture, reducing the time required to participate, and prioritising outcomes which deliver the most valuable insights for the farm are among the PGRO's key objectives. 

Research Agronomist Erin Matlock said: "Using technology as much as possible to gather the data points needed for the pulse YENs is an obvious area where we can make it easier and slicker to participate. We will do this through an app which we will be demonstrating at Cereals."  

Erin and other members of the PGRO team will be on hand to discuss the other main areas for development. 

For 14 years the YEN has connected arable farmers and agricultural organisations who strive to improve their farm productivity and performance, whether they seek to improve crop yields, reduce environmental impact, or improve crop quality.

Originally set up and run by ADAS, the pulse YENs allow growers to measure their farm performance, compare their results, and share ideas with the rest of the industry to improve productivity.

ADAS will continue to run the pulse YENs for crops in the ground now, with PGRO taking over ahead of winter bean drilling this autumn. 

Alongside the YEN focus at Cereals, the PGRO team will be on hand to discuss its current projects such as ANSWERS – an initiative that looks to optimise the on-farm yield and quality of faba bean as an alternative UK-produced protein source – and the NCS Project, which aims to reduce carbon emissions, increase pulses in arable rotations, and reduce soya meal.