HIGHFIVE CHALLENGE PLUS
A mix of varieties including medium developers, like DK Extrovert, a high-performing, solid variety and Avatar, the highest gross output variety in the Recommended Lists, plus Diffusion, which would suit an earlier drilling slot, and DK Expower, which is relatively fast developing, would provide a good range to suit many situations.” “The drilling window is fairly narrow compared with cereals – from mid-late August to early September in the south, a couple of weeks earlier in the north. While investing in such technology makes sense, so does spreading risk, and he advises farmers to grow more than one variety to widen the drilling window and spread harvest. “Hybrids are driving growth and speeding the introduction of new traits – they are a tool to deliver innovation relatively quickly, including improved oil content and the widespread uptake of the RM7 stem canker resistance gene, and they bring a lot of genetic diversity.” Variety breeding has moved on apace, Mr Leaper maintains.
They are creating a platform on which they can build yield.”
“Farmers are spending on the latest technology – hybrids, new pure-lines and nutrient seed treatments. As a rule of thumb sow 5ha from a 4ha pack.”Ī near tripling of oilseed prices in a few years has seen oilseed rape become the cornerstone of many arable rotations, with farmers prepared to invest money in better varieties and improved establishment, says David Leaper, Openfield’s arable technical manager. “Aim to sow 60-80 seeds/sq m for conventionals and 30-40 for hybrids. Whatever works for the farm is fine as long as it removes compaction.”ĭrilling during the last week of August to the first of week September is ideal in the South a fortnight earlier in the North. There is no prescriptive system – the most important thing is a good operator. Mr Cook advises, “Establish the crop well and 5t/ha is relatively easy. You wouldn’t think it possible, but it was grown correctly on a wide rotation.”Ĭruiser or Modesto are both good seed treatments, the former favoured on higher, cooler ground which can slow development and leave seedlings more prone to downy mildew.Ī well-structured, firm seed-bed that gives good seed/soil contact and allows roots to explore the subsoil fully is crucial. My highest yielding field last season was Castille, which gave 6t/ha. “In the right situation with the right management all varieties on the Recommended List can produce 5t/ha. “I do prefer conventional varieties as you can clean home-saved seed hard and get bigger, more vigorous seed.įor more on this: See all of the articles on High 5 OSR yields His main advice is to choose shorter, stiffer, lower-biomass varieties for ease of combining and lower harvest losses, with good disease resistance. In his view, management is more important than variety choice when chasing big yields. Eventually growers will also run into club root problems.” Short-term economics look attractive, but there is a definite yield penalty. “Oilseed rape should be grown no more than one year in four, preferably five. “Rotation should be the starting point,” he says. H owever good subsequent management may be, if seed is muddled in with little thought, a crop of oilseed rape will never make up for lost ground.Ĭare taken at the early stages, especially over cultivations and drilling, followed by timely early agronomy, is crucial for any grower aspiring to 5t/ha yields.įor Steve Cook of Hampshire Arable Systems the process starts even earlier.
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