ARABLE FARMERS who have held off spring cropping decisions still have time to clinch an oilseed rape contract worth up to £160/t, according to Springdale Crop Synergies.

The company is looking to sign up to 405ha of spring and 20,250ha of winter rape across the UK for its “Landmark” contract.

The contract guarantees a delivered price of £150/t, said national sales manager James Mackay, because the rape goes to supply special power generators with fuel.

That means growers would also benefit from the EU’s €45/ha (£12.40/acre) energy crop payment and a bonus for oil content worth £1 for every percentage point over 40%.

“Any farmer with any land left can make up to £160/t for OSR,” said Mr Mackay.

“We think there are plenty out there who would benefit from this unique opportunity to secure some stable prices.”

With two renewable power stations coming on-line by autumn 2005, Springdale needs to secure 1000acres of rape, enough to generate 1.25MW, but by next year’s harvest, another two sites will be finished, with total capacities of up to 70MW.

“Traditionally, OSR goes into the mass food market, but this is going into renewable energy, where the Government has promised to meet a 10% renewable electricity target by 2010.

“There is a premium attached, and we pass that on to our growers,” Mr Mackay added.