SEMI-DWARF oilseed rape varieties offer a range of benefits and growers should re-look at their potential, said CPB Twyford.

The debate started with Lutin back in 1999 and new hybrid varieties offer the benefits of hybrid vigour in a crop with the size and canopy structure of wheat, said the firm’s Simon Francis.

This make them virtually unlodgeable, removes the need for specialist equipment such as high clearance sprayers and makes direct cutting at harvest much easier, he said.

But further research into the agronomy of such varieties is still needed, he admitted.

“We don’t know how far we can push them with inputs, particularly nitrogen. Weed and volunteer control also needs looking at, although autocast establishment, which doesn’t disturb the soil, could help with the latter.”