For years, many growers questioned whether oilseed rape still had a future in UK arable rotations. Pressure from cabbage stem flea beetle, difficult establishment seasons and rising input costs pushed confidence in the crop to some of its lowest levels in decades.
But after two stronger seasons, sentiment is beginning to shift.
Comeback
So why is oilseed rape making a comeback on some farms? What are successful growers doing differently? And can OSR once again become a reliable and profitable break crop in modern arable rotations?
In this episode, we're joined by Nigel Padbury from Premium Crops and Dorset farm manager Tom Baker to discuss the latest thinking around OSR establishment, varietal choice, cabbage stem flea beetle management, crop nutrition and rotational strategy.
LISTEN HERE
Speakers:
Nigel Padbury - Premium Crops, seeds and marketing manager
Tom Baker - Drax Farms, farm manager
