UK growers identify their biggest challenges of growing oilseed rape
Something went wrong. Please try again later...
Corteva’s ‘Bag 5 Bags’ Survey, introduced at this year’s Cereals Event, has gathered valuable perspectives from UK oilseed rape growers. With 125 responses - mainly from farmers in Central and Northern England - the survey highlights both the challenges these growers face and the potential for innovation to enhance resilience and profitability.
OSR: a crop worth fighting for
Despite the challenges, OSR remains a vital break crop for UK arable farmers. Based on findings, the average grower cultivates around 40 hectares, and most are achieving yields of 3.6 tonnes per hectare - just above the 3.37 t/ha identified as a yield threshold which is needed to justify its place in the rotation. This shows that, while margins are tight, OSR continues to deliver value when managed effectively.
Cabbage stem flea beetle remains the top concern of OSR growers
Unsurprisingly, cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) was cited as the number one challenge. This pest has become a major threat since the loss of neonicotinoid seed treatments, impacting both establishment and yield.
There is extensive work underway through the OSR Reboot campaign to rebuild confidence in oilseed rape. It is uniting the industry around protecting and rebuilding domestic oilseed rape production. A major new research initiative led by AHDB and due to launch later in 2025, aims to tackle CSFB. Funded through a collaboration between levy payers and industry partners; Corteva Agriscience, Bayer, Frontier Agriculture, Limagrain, Openfield, Phoenix Speciality Oils, and United Oilseeds, the four-and-a-half-year project is a significant investment in the future of UK oilseed rape. Planned across five workstreams including testing novel treatments, advancing cultural controls, generating data for decision support, understanding, and encouraging CSFB’s natural enemies, and creating space for innovation.
Phyllotreta atra (cabbage flea beetle) damage on OSR
Establishment and pest pressure
Establishment was the second most cited challenge, with growers struggling against dry soils, pest damage from slugs and pigeons, and narrow drilling windows. These issues compound the difficulty of getting OSR off to a strong start.
Pioneer hybrids are bred for robust early growth, helping crops establish quickly and uniformly. This not only improves resilience against pests but also sets the foundation for higher yields. Corteva’s crop protection portfolio complements this with targeted solutions for weed control, ensuring young plants have the best chance to thrive.
Disease and weed management
Disease pressure remains a significant concern. Phoma was rated the most threatening, followed by light leaf spot and Sclerotinia. These diseases can severely impact yield and quality.
Pioneer offers hybrids with improved tolerance to Sclerotinia, a disease that can be particularly devastating in humid conditions. By selecting tolerant varieties, growers can reduce their fungicide use and improve crop reliability.
Pioneer offers a range of winter oilseed rape hybrids with strong disease resistance profiles. For example, PT303 is the first UK hybrid with a claim for Sclerotinia tolerance, and also offers resistance to turnip yellows virus, light leaf spot (score of 7), and Phoma (score of 6).
Similarly, PT322 combines Sclerotinia tolerance with high oil content, and scores 8 for light leaf spot and 7 for stem canker (Phoma). These hybrids allow growers to reduce reliance on fungicides while maintaining high yield potential and crop reliability.
In our latest PACTS (Pioneer Accurate Crop Testing System) trials show a strong performance of all our hybrids.
PT312 leads the trial with an impressive 102.1% gross output, outperforming all other varieties tested.
PT303 (C), serving as the control variety, sets the benchmark at 100.0%.
PT322 follows with a gross output of 96.0%, showing a moderate performance.
PT315 rounds out the group with 95.8%, slightly trailing PT322.
These results highlight PT312 as the top-performing variety in terms of gross output, making it a strong candidate for growers seeking high-yield potential in 2025.
Weed pressure, particularly from blackgrass, continues to be a major concern for UK OSR growers, as highlighted in the competition responses.
Blackgrass in OSR
Yield loss from poor broad-leaved weed control can range from 3% up to 73% depending on the vigour of the crop and this does not take into account contamination of harvested crop with weed seed which can reduce marketability of the sample.
For effective weed control the use of integrated weed management strategies are essential across the weed lifecycle including preventing seed return, depleting seed banks, effectively removing weed seedlings, stopping seed set and good on farm hygiene.
To support farmers in addressing this challenge, Corteva provides a selection of herbicide solutions suited for OSR systems. Products such as Belkar®, a post-emergence broadleaf herbicide, offer options for controlling key problem weeds early in the season, which can assist with crop establishment.
Given the reduction in active ingredients and the importance of managing herbicide resistance, weed control should be considered as part of the overall rotation strategy. The application of Astrokerb® or Kerb® Flo 500 (propyzamide) in oilseed rape is one method utilised to manage blackgrass within the rotation. Corteva has launched a new propyzamide learning hub with more resources and additional e-learning courses (offering BASIS and NRoSO points) coming soon!
Pioneer and Corteva are committed to supporting growers every step of the way - from breeding hybrids with the traits that matter most, to delivering agronomic expertise and innovative crop protection solutions. Our dedicated OSR online hub offers regular updates for growers and advisors throughout the season. For technical questions, our hotline team are at hand. Contact them at 0800 689 8899 or email ukhotline@corteva.com.
Useful Links and Resources
