Variety selection is critical Unpredictable harvest weather means pod shatter resistance is increasing important when selecting oilseed rape varieties. “By the time oilseed rape reaches maturity, virtually all production costs have been incurred,” explains Florentina Petrescu, UK oilseed rape product manager for Limagrain. “Protecting yield right through to the... Read more

• Important not to go too early • Avoid disrupting seed filling • Maximise the yield potential Growers are being reminding of the need for accurate desiccation timing to maximise oilseed rape yields and minimise the risk of harvest rejections. Desiccating with glyphosate is generally the preferred approach for... Read more

A major crop disease may become harder to control because fungal pathogens are less susceptible to widely used fungicides. Genetic changes in fungal pathogen populations are reducing the effectiveness of azole fungicides – used by farmers for decades when tackling phoma stem canker, say scientists at Rothamsted Research. Research... Read more

• Traits help growers fight back • Good overall disease package • Think differently for success A new hybrid oilseed rape variety with resilience to cabbage stem flea beetle promises a big step forward in helping growers successfully grow the crop. LG Avenger is the culmination of almost a... Read more

• Lower pressure from flea beetle • Better outlook towards harvest • Varieties are key consideration Cabbage stem flea beetle pressure is at its lowest level for six years, suggests the latest survey of oilseed rape growers. Well over half of rape growers report little or no autumn challenge... Read more

• 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... Read more