Oilseed Rape

An interactive online platform has been launched, allowing public access to over 50 years of arable crop pest and disease data from across England and Wales. 

The weather upset many cropping plans in 2023/24, with growers understandably keen to get back on track this autumn. However, as farm support shifts further towards crop-specific measures within the SFI, now is an ideal time to review rotation planning, Hutchinsons experts advise.

With the UK’s oilseed rape plantings potentially set to be the smallest for forty years, managing director of plant breeder NPZ UK, Chris Guest, joins in calls for a reboot for the crop for the benefit of UK growers and the country’s food security. 

Harvest conditions have improved considerably in the past week following a catchy start, AHDB said in the recently published first harvest progress report for 2024. 

A Cambridgeshire farmer and CEO of the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) explained how the environment-friendly practices help him boost yields. 

As more and more combines are now out on fields, Farmers Guide asked farmers from around the UK for another harvest update.

As more and more farmers have started this year’s harvest, Farmers Guide issues the latest update from around the country. 

Choosing to grow a variety with built-in pod shatter resistance is one of the most important things farmers can do to protect OSR yields through to harvest and make the margins to keep oilseed rape profitable, said Limagrain’s expert. 

Farmers from around the UK and Ireland have been making a start on harvest 2024. Here are some insights from Farmers Guide readers. 

James Peck of P.X. Farms, Cambridgeshire, is one of the first UK farmers to start harvesting oilseed rape.

Following a difficult winter, many growers will be relying on spring crops to deliver farm profits. For those drilling spring oilseed rape, getting the crops established and away quickly will be key to productivity. David McLellan, agronomist at Omya UK, says there are some quick wins growers can take advantage of.

At a technical webinar held by LS Plant Breeding Ltd (LSPB) at the end of December, managing director Chris Guest discussed the challenges for OSR in the UK in a changing climate.