Oilseed Rape News

An early start to harvest and the arrival of some rain mean the OSR sowing season has begun sooner than usual, even considering the historic trend of earlier drilling to establish the crop ahead of cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) attack, according to David Leaper, Agrii seed technical specialist.  

Over the last few years, the upfront costs and establishment challenges have made OSR a risky option, but with recent improvements in pest pressure, genetics, and recent market prices, the picture is starting to shift, arable experts believe. 

Latest resistance testing of samples collected in 2024 across Europe indicates that most grassweeds are largely susceptible to clethodim, a key herbicide for oilseed rape and sugar beet. However, resistance is present in some UK populations.  

NPZ UK breeder trials have highlighted the impact of a challenging season on winter oilseed rape varieties that rely solely on Rlm7 resistance, compared to the latest hybrid varieties featuring combined RlmS and Rlm12 resistance.

A Cotswolds farm manager has explained how data collected from a growing network of digital yellow water traps is helping inform oilseed rape management. 

With pod filling well underway in winter oilseed rape crops, Hutchinsons is reminding growers of the need for accurate desiccation timing to maximise yield and minimise the risk of rejections this harvest.

The 2025 AHDB Planting and Variety Survey, conducted between 7th April and 16th May 2025, has revealed a partial rebound in the UK’s wheat area, offering a glimmer of resilience in an otherwise mixed outlook for UK crop production.

A list of ten top strategies to tackle cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) has just been released to help reverse the fortunes of oilseed rape (OSR). 

Defra’s latest Farm Business Income report predicts which sectors will see a rise or fall in income over 2024/25.

The latest Recommended List that includes an expansive new variety line-up demonstrates the real strength and depth in Elsoms Seeds breeding program, Elsoms head of agriculture Toby Reich said. 

AHDB’s early bird survey predicts an increase in the UK wheat area for harvest 2025 of 5.4%, however, it will still remain below the 2019 to 2023 average. The country can also see the lowest oilseed rape planted area for 42 years.

“It’s really important that growers have a good understanding of the base they’re working with,” said Yara’s arable expert while discussing what growers should be doing to improve yields and get the most from their inputs.