OILSEED RAPE growers in the north of England and Scotland could struggle to find a market for chitted seed which is becoming increasingly common as rain continues to delay harvest.

Scottish Agronomy‘s Allen Scobie is urging growers to harvest chitted oilseed rape when they can and argue about its value later.

“There‘s talk about discounted prices of 30% for chitted rape from merchants,” he said.

Crushers say sprouted seed with over 2% free fatty acid content causes problems with the rancidity and palatability of the oil.

“But the issue with free fatty acids is not proven. I‘m not convinced it is going to go rancid,” said Mr Scobie.

“There might be an oil content penalty. But growers should not be rushed into taking £70-£80/t for sprouted rapeseed until it becomes clear whether there really is a problem.”

Grain Co trader James Chapman said a possible alternative would be to use it for biodiesel.

Up to one-third of the Scottish crop, or 40,000t, could be at risk of not being accepted for crushing, according to reports received by AIC‘s sector head of crop marketing Paul Rooke.

But markets for good quality rapeseed have firmed as harvest pressure fades across the EU.

Good demand for biodiesel, potential problems due to frost and unsettled weather in Canada and the US had also boosted global markets, said Grainfarmers‘ Andrew Barnard.

UK values had risen by £3-£4/t over the week to Tues, Aug 24, to about £135/t ex-farm for September and £140/t for November, depending on region, he said.