Have you considered Spring OSR?
Why do you think Spring OSR has an advantage over other Spring break crops?
Spring Oilseed Rape (SOSR) fits well in the current season. With much of the winter wheat undrilled, growers are turning to spring alternatives. We saw this pattern back in 2013, when the area of SOSR peaked at 95,000ha following the wet autumn of 2012.
The advantage of SOSR is that it can provide a high gross margin, especially in comparison to many of the alternative specialist crops. If we base our calculations on 2.25t/ha yield, the gross margin comes out at £460/ha, and this increases to £473 where yields are 2.5t/ha.
What varietal traits are particularly good in a Spring OSR crop?
SOSR varieties have seen big improvements over recent years. A high vigour variety that is going to grow quickly in the shorter growing season is key. Hybrid varieties typically offer higher oil contents, and Performer particularly stands out in this respect.
Is CSFB still a threat in Spring OSR?
The lifecycle of the CSFB which has proven so problematic in WOSR does not coincide with the SOSR growing season, so in that respect we’re very lucky. Whilst SOSR can be affected by a different flea beetle species, they do not have the same level of pyrethroid resistance, so we are more able to manage the threat to the crop.
Are there any particular techniques that have been shown to improve spring establishment?
With spring drilling, it’s always important to think about your seed rate. You certainly need to be drilling at higher rates than WOSR (80 seeds / m2), but if the crop is too dense then the plants will not branch well. Another tip would be to grow your SOSR in big blocks, as this has been found to be beneficial in terms of mitigating the damage of pollen beetle.
