Cereal yields might be a little disappointing but it looks like another strong season for OSR.
United Oilseeds suggests that south of the Humber, around 80% of the crop has now been harvested, with combines expected to roll further north next week. It estimates the national crop will total between 1.1 and 1.2 million tonnes, a significant increase on last year.
While oil contents are generally tracking slightly below last year’s exceptionally high levels, yields have been consistently strong across much of England, with many growers reporting crops comfortably ahead of last year and well above the five-year average.
Lincolnshire grower David Bristow returned to OSR last season, growing 52 hectares of LG Avenger. He describes yields as “fairly pleasing” at an average of 4.4 t/ha and moisture between 7 – 9%. He is likely to increase his area next season to 64 ha.
Simon Walker, of AA Broughton & Son in Somerset, grew Adapt and Academic and is pleased with how both have performed. “We’ve been really pleased with the crop this year. Yields are around 4.7t/ha with oils at 46-47%, and the crop looked strong from start to finish.
“We spent very little on fungicides and didn’t need to desiccate because everything ripened so evenly. We’re just now waiting a few extra days for the stems to lose their green colour on the remainder of our rape.”
Further east on the Romney Marsh, Kent grower Alan Clifton says patience before harvest was worthwhile. “Rape has been one of the pleasant surprises of harvest. We’re averaging around 4.6t/ha and everything harvested really well. We held off for five days because the straw was still green, but once conditions were right the crop came off cleanly with no desiccation and around 8% moisture.”
In Herefordshire, Harry Whittal is also delighted with the outcome. “We’re averaging around 4.85t/ha, so it’s been an excellent crop. It looked good throughout the season and we’ve also had an exceptional amount of straw, enough to fill our own sheds with surplus to sell. Overall, it’s been a really pleasing harvest.”
James Warner of United Oilseeds adds that harvest is another positive sign that confidence in oilseed rape is continuing to return. “Better establishment, lower pest pressure, favourable growing conditions and the willingness of growers to adopt new management approaches are all helping to rebuild confidence in the crop.
“This harvest shows what oilseed rape can deliver when those factors come together. While there’s still work to do, the direction of travel is undoubtedly positive.”
