We know that growing oilseed rape can be challenging so we have gathered together everything you need to know about oilseed rape here. From establishment to harvest we can provide insight about crop management and protection to help maximise yields.
Posted 3 weeks ago
April
Although oilseed rape crops are variable this spring due to establishment and/or cabbage stem flea beetle damage, most are now at green bud and the most advanced are at early flowering. Some crops have been written off due to poor establishment or the fact that they are carrying far too many cabbage stem flea beetle larvae to make a viable crop.
March’s SpotCheck initiative results have shown that light leaf spot is prevalent throughout the country and with most crops being at least at stem extension, it’s important to apply fungicides now to prevent further damage.
Over the next month Sclerotinia sprays will be at the front of people’s minds. If it stays mild, the earliest oilseed rape crops will be flowering by the second to third week of April.
Priorities this month (location dependent):
May
Results from the SpotCheck initiative has shown that light leaf spot is now present across most of the country, from Scotland to Dorset and Hampshire.
As a result, it is vital to walk fields and assess disease presence within the crop. Look for tiny white spore droplets on the leaf surface, which can sometimes appear in a circular pattern, on the upper or underside of the leaf.
Where light leaf spot in present, there is an opportunity to utilise prothioconazole at this timing to dampen down the disease and manipulate the canopy.
Priorities this month (location dependent):
June/July
The gate is almost shut on oilseed rape until the combines start rolling in July and August, with only harvesting plans and whether to apply a pod sticker left to decide upon.
While swathing and direct combining are options, most growers usually apply a desiccant.
Timing of glyphosate applications could be tricky this season, as crops affected by flea beetle or pigeon damage are very uneven. Going too early risks both limiting oil content and increasing the risk of immature red seed at harvest, while late applications may see increased losses from pod shatter.
The key thing is to carefully walk crops properly to assess them efficiently. There might be a huge difference between how a crop looks in the gateway and 100m away in the middle of the field.
Priorities this month (location dependent):
September
Oilseed rape drilling has been progressing across the country. For those that drilled in August, the hot weather across the August bank holiday was not helpful for oilseed rape establishment where crops were at cotyledon stage, with a surge in attacks from cabbage stem flea beetles (CSFB).
In September, the remaining crops will be drilled. How late you can drill in September will depend on what part of the country you farm. In this month, as in August, it is all about getting the crop away – so take advantage of good soil conditions and consider variety choice carefully – a vigorous hybrid could be beneficial.
Pay careful attention to how the crop is establishing and any factors that may be impacting growth such as pests and weeds. Be particularly mindful of cabbage stem flea beetle and think carefully about insecticide applications. Remember many CSFB populations can be resistant to pyrethroids, so always use an integrated pest management approach.
If growing multiple varieties on-farm, compare progression in the early stages, above and below ground, as this could help inform both crop management this season and next season’s variety choices.
Priorities this month (location dependent):
In October 2018 oilseed rape growers answered a series of questions about their agronomic decisions for the Bayer OSR Big Picture Quiz. We have written a very detailed report, which you can download after filling in this form. Inside the report you will find a breakdown of the results within each of the five agronomy sections, including what do higher yielding growers do
Find out more information on the key disease threats to your oilseed rape crop. For each disease you will find out the importance of the disease in terms of potential yield penalty, how to identify the disease in its early stages and our advice on the best control strategies.
