Oilseed rape: from Hybrid to Harvest

Steps to consider before drilling and at establishment of your oilseed rape:

1. Aim to grow oilseed rape on low-risk fields:​

• Those that don't slope to a watercourse (field slope is less than 5% - 1m fall in 20m)​.
• Field that are less susceptible to run-off​.
• That are not bordered by a watercourse​.
• Fields where there are no field drains​.
• Those that have not been deep sub-soiled (below plough layer) or mole-drained within the preceding 6 months.

2. Consider appropriate establishment, direction of working travel, soil type and topography:

• Layout tramlines so that they do not provide a direct route for water to leave the field.
• Disturb the surface compaction in the tramlines if possible.
• Ideally, establish the crop with true minimum tillage (working the top 4-6cm only) or by direct drilling.​

3. Use buffer zones:

• To reduce the risk of run-off (both water and sediment) that may contain pesticides from reaching watercourses, the VI guidelines recommend a 6m buffer along watercourses, if possible.
• Wide buffers are advisable in particularly vulnerable areas.

4. Safeguard zones:

• Refer to the Environment Agency website “Drinking Water Protected Areas Safeguard Zones (SgZs)” to check if planned oilseed rape fields are in a Safeguard Zone. Consider not growing this crop if mitigation methods cannot be put in place and there is a high risk of herbicides moving into water.

Let's talk about OSR!

We’ve been speaking to farmers and specialists about the benefits they see to growing oilseed rape, the top things essential to growing the crop successfully and considerations for autumn, including anything new they will be trying.

Many thanks to Will Baker, Matt Fuller, David Marsland, Andrew Bowley and Corteva’s Andy Stainthorpe for providing these great insights.