Light leaf spot is prompting  renewed calls for growers to prioritise varietal resistance when sowing oilseed rape this coming season. Scientists have been examining leaf samples submitted through the Spore Scout campaign. They found evidence of the disease across the country, with many crops showing significant levels of infection.... Read more

A candidate oilseed rape variety is being tipped as a potential market leader as growers assess autumn drilling plans. With a gross output of 108%, 2% higher than its nearest rival, AHDB Recommended List candidate variety RGT Eros is one to watch, says Kirsty Richards, national technical manager for... Read more

Confidence is returning to oilseed rape with the crop set to be on of the star performers this year – both in terms of yields and margins. After several difficult years, there is a noticeably different feeling around the crop. Across much of the country, more rape is back... Read more

Oilseed rape is continuing to increase in popularity, with more growers expected to return to the crop this coming season. Decent returns, good yields and acceptable levels of cabbage stem flea beetle management have seen the a revival in fortunes, helping growers manage risk, reduce input costs and spread... Read more

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