Dyer commented that although UK growers were initially encouraged by new strains from the US they had not performed well. Dyer's findings were based on HDC/Adas trials that had taken place over the past two years.

However, Hargreaves disagrees with Dyer's claims. He said: 'There are clear and obvious flaws in the commercial trials if they are not selecting Jersey Giant.' Asparagus International claims the variety demonstrates better flavour, colour and a higher percentage of class one yield. It also has a significant improvement on labour costs due to the speed it can be graded through the packhouse. Hargreaves said: 'With labour being in the region of 70 per cent of cost of producing a kilo of asparagus - what more does the grower want?' The HDC/Adas trials tested 26 potential winners but the short list eventually comprised 5 Dutch, one German, one French with Jersey Jewel the only US strain chosen. Hargreaves argues: 'The trials need to consider what the multiple customers and growers are looking for and modify their protocol accordingly.' The Jersey programme at Rutgers University in the US is the largest green asparagus breeding programme in the world, controlled by Asparagus International in over 50 countries.

The company has established two new comprehensive asparagus trial sites, one in Suffolk and one in the West Country.

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