Cabbage stem flea beetle pressure is at its lowest level in six years, with well over half of UK oilseed rape growers reporting little or no autumn challenge from the pest.

This is according to the latest findings from the oilseed rape benchmarking survey results carried out by Bayer and Dekalb.

Survey results point to cautious optimism for the oilseed rape sector, with high average crop establishment scores among the respondents.

The survey is now in its sixth year and tracks more than 150 respondents from across the country, providing a series of valuable oilseed rape management insights.

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Less pest challenges

Of the farmer respondents, 58% experienced little or no challenge with the pest, compared to 21% the 2023-24 season prior (Fig 1).

Better crop establishment

Coupled with last autumn’s favourable crop establishment conditions, fewer problems with the pest mean more oilseed rape crops.

Eighty five percent compared to 73% in 2023-24 – are being taken through to harvest this season (Fig. 2).

Crop condition going into flowering was also better this season than in recent seasons, says Bayer technical manager Ellie Borthwick-North.

“At 6.8 out of 10, the average crop condition going into flowering was the best in the past three years, with almost three-quarters of growers who responded to the survey expecting their crops to yield better than they did last year,” says Ellie.

Hybrid varieties

The survey findings also point to the performance advantage of mainstream “00” hybrid varieties over pure lines.

They show better establishment, lower cabbage stem flea beetle larval levels and slightly higher early spring green area indices (GAI).

“Their performance advantage was particularly marked when pressures from the pest were more than marginal and from later plantings,” adds Ellie.

While close to one-third of the growers responding to the survey intend to reduce their OSR plantings for harvest 2026, 26% plan to maintain their current oilseed rape crop area.

A further 37% plan to increase their OSR area in the coming season.

“This is the highest level of growers planning to at least maintain their current oilseed rape area in the past three years,” says Ellie.

Oilseed rape price, soil moisture and yields this harvest are among the main factors likely to influence decisions on the area of oilseed rape drilled this autumn.

“Clearly also governing the decision-making of many is the apparent flea beetle risk – whether assessed by levels of adults visible this summer, adult damage last autumn or larval damage this spring,” she notes.

Given the critical importance of cabbage stem flea beetle to crop performance, it is not surprising survey findings reveal that most growers monitor the pest in the autumn.

“While challenges remain, well-grown oilseed rape continues to be the best break ahead of winter wheat.

“Findings from this season’s survey reveal that we are beginning to see a more positive outlook for the crop,” concludes Ellie.