Latest benchmarking survey results highlight grounds for OSR optimism

Significantly reduced cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) pressure and high average crop establishment scores are among a range of positive findings from the latest Bayer DEKALB oilseed rape benchmarking survey.

The survey, which is now into its sixth year of tracking more than 150 respondents from across the country, provides growers and their advisers with a series of valuable oilseed rape management insights. The 2024/25 survey results point to a cautious optimism concerning oilseed rape crop prospects.

Among the findings is confirmation of a welcome decline in cabbage stem flea beetle pressure, which is at its lowest level in six years, with well over half of growers reporting little or no autumn challenge from the pest (Fig.1).

Fig. 1 Autumn CSFB Challenge

Source: Dekalb National OSR Benchmarking Studies 2020 - 2025 Bayer, June 2025

Coupled with last autumn’s favourable crop establishment conditions, fewer problems with CSFB mean that more oilseed rape crops – 85% compared to 73% in 2023/24 - are being taken through to harvest this season (Fig. 2)

Crop condition going into flowering was also better this season than in recent seasons.

“At 6.8 out of 10, the average crop condition going into flowering was the best in the past three years, with almost three-quarters of growers who responded to the survey expecting their crops to yield better than they did last year,” says Bayer technical manager Ellie Borthwick-North.

Fig. 2 Crop Success

Source: Dekalb National OSR Benchmarking Studies 2020 - 2025 Bayer, June 2025

The survey findings also point to the performance advantage of mainstream ‘00’ hybrid varieties over pure lines, with better establishment, lower cabbage stem flea beetle larval levels and slightly higher early spring green area indices (GAI).

“Their performance advantage was particularly marked when pressures from the pest were more than marginal and from later plantings,” adds Ellie.

While close to one-third of the growers responding to the survey intend to reduce their OSR plantings for harvest 2026, 26% plan to maintain their current oilseed rape crop area and a further 37% plan to increase their OSR area in the coming season.

“This is the highest level of growers planning to at least maintain their current oilseed rape area in the past three years,” says Ellie.

Rapeseed price, soil moisture and yields this harvest are among the main factors likely to influence decisions on the area of oilseed rape drilled this autumn.

“Clearly also governing the decision-making of many is the apparent CSFB risk – whether assessed by levels of adults visible this summer, adult damage last autumn or larval damage this spring,” adds Ellie.

Given the critical importance of CSFB to crop performance, it is not surprising the survey findings reveal that most growers monitor the pest in the autumn, more than a quarter using some form of yellow trap, including the MagicTrap digital yellow water trap launched by Bayer at Cereals 2024.

“While challenges remain, well-grown oilseed rape continues to be the best break ahead of winter wheat. Findings from this season’s Bayer DEKALB survey reveal that we are beginning to see a more positive outlook for the crop,” says Ellie.