A YORKSHIRE GROWER has achieved a massive 5.9t/ha from 6.5ha (16 acres) of Royal oilseed rape.

Derek Ibbotson had a bumper harvest in a year of generally disappointing oilseed rape yields.

Drilled at just 1.7kg/ha each oilseed rape plant has stalks around 1.5in thick compared with the normal 0.25in, he said.

“Most people drill at more than double that,” Mr Ibbotson added.

“We‘re left with very few plants per square metre and a very open canopy, but that maximises the yield from all the pods, including those lower down.”

Conserving what little moisture was around at drilling was also crucial, he said.

“We drill immediately following the plough, and then roll as soon as conditions are fit.”

 Average yield across his 80ha (197 acres) of oilseed rape a very healthy 5.1t/ha.

“If we can scrape £150/t for November movement, including a bonus for oil content, it will be a very profitable crop.”