Confidence renewed for oilseed rape

• Lower pressure from flea beetle

• Still a valuable arable break crop

• Goal to increase area of UK rape

The 2025 oilseed rape season is approaching with renewed confidence after encouraging results from a cabbage stem flea beetle initiative.

The project, which assessed flea beetle stem larvae levels in spring 2025, shows a significant decline in pest pressure compared to previous seasons. Other survey results have shown similar findings.

Led by NIAB and funded by United Oilseeds, Agrii, and Hutchinsons, the flea beetle initiative follows autumn water trap monitoring which had already indicated a lower number of adult beetles across the UK.

Over 170 plant samples were collected from a wide geographical spread, Initial results suggest much lower larvae numbers than recent years – and a stark improvement on figures seen in 2022.

Encouraging results

While isolated farms showed slightly higher levels, no widespread hotspots were identified. Overall, the results provide strong reassurance for growers planning rape crops later this year.

“These findings are very encouraging,” said NIAB spokesperson Colin Peters (below left).

“They reflect the lower adult counts seen last autumn and suggest that growers should feel positive about prospects for rape establishment in 2025. While attention to detail in crop management remains crucial, this data gives a welcome boost.”

The project reinforces the value of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) – including field positioning, immediate post-harvest cultivation of previous rape stubble, good seedbed preparation, flexible drilling timing and companion crops.

 Sample sites will continue to be monitored throughout the 2025-26 season, providing growers with further valuable insights to support strong, sustainable oilseed rape crops.

Plan ahead

Growers are being encouraged to plan ahead now, taking advantage of the current low flea beetle pressure and applying best agronomic practice to secure the best possible results.

Ten top tips to help growers establish rape successfully were unveiled at last month’s Cereals campaign by the industry-led OSR Reboot campaign, which is being spearheaded by United Oilseeds and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

The campaign brings together breeders and scientists to further understanding about the best way to control flea beetle. It aims to increase the amount of UK-grown rape, which has halved during the past decade.

“The UK is relying on imported oilseeds to crush, threatening our food security and lowering our food standards so improving the prospects of growing oilseed rape on farm is important,” says Neil Groom of plant breeders Grainseed.

“Our first goal is to improve the establishment of rape crops and then to build plant size so that they can cope with any larval load in the spring.”