Spring cropping


New hybrid spring oilseed rape ‘offers real


opportunity’ • Strong prices add increased incentive • Early drilling avoids disease and pests • Extended harvest window has benefi ts


T


he latest varieties of spring oilseed rape could pro- vide a real opportunity for growers unable to drill crops in challenging conditions last au- tumn.


Strong prices for oilseed rape, recent developments in breeding and a greater range of varieties mean most growers would be able to produce a profi table crop with some distinct advantages over winter sown options, says Mike Farr of DSV.


“Spring oilseed rape general-


ly only requires around 150 days to grow so Phoma isn’t a problem due to its short vegetative stage and specifi c temperature require- ments,” he believes.


“The occurrence of fungal dis- eases is much less than in winter rape, so disease control is rarely necessary and drilling spring oil- seed rape at the end of March or early April means less pressure is put on both man and machine.


Establishment


“Good modern hybrid varieties are very tolerant of colder con- ditions allowing earlier drilling so crops can establish well before fl ea beetles become active.” But growers should try to re- sist the temptation to drill too early because temperature and day length will act against the newly sown seedling. Mr Farr says: “Plants will emerge too slowly and will not be able to out- compete the weed pressure and struggle to outgrow pest attack.” Modern hybrid varieties such as Lagonda and Lumen have done much to improve establish- ment and the economics of grow- ing spring oilseed rape. Lagonda marks a particular step forward


26 MIDLAND FARMER• JANUARY 2020


in yield and vigour with a yield of 117% of control and an oil con- tent of 44.5%. “Trials have shown Lagonda


to have excellent spring vigour so it quickly grows away from any possible pest attack.


Standing ability “At 135cm it sits in the middle of the pack when it comes to plant height and with a strong score for standing ability of 8, Lagonda is early to fl ower and has a medi- um maturity.”


“


Good modern hybrid varieties are very tolerant of colder conditions


Another strong contender is


the variety Lumen which sits at 106% of control with an oil content of 45.0%, adds Mr Farr. “It’s another high vigour varie- ty, quickly establishing a strong rooting system with early leaf set helping to ensure maximum plant survival against potential fl ea beetle attack.”


Lumen is also relatively short at 138cm with excellent stem characteristics and very early maturity which is benefi cial when aiming to get the crop harvested before a change in weather con- ditions.” Target drilling date for spring oilseed rape is around 70 seeds per m2 with the aim of achiev- ing a plant population of around 55 – 65 plants per m2, he says. “Historically, when spring oilseed rape could only safely be drilled towards the start of sum-


The economics of growing spring oilseed rape are much improved, says Mike Farr.


mer, it was one of the few crops fl owering when the fl ea beetle were at their destructive worst. “This certainly does not have to be the case now, with mod- ern genetics making the crop a more viable and durable crop than ever.”


At harvest, the temptation to desiccate or swath early must be avoided otherwise full oil content of the seed will not be achieved,


he adds. “The crop will be ready when 90% of the seed in the mid- third of pods on the main stem are red to dark brown. “Managed properly, however, the early maturity and excellent seed retention of modern hybrid spring oilseed rape varieties will allow for an extended harvesting window which can help simplify autumn management and work- load considerably.”


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