Growers advised not to disregard non-RL OSR varieties

Oilseed rape growers are being advised to use previous on-farm performance as the starting point for 2026 drilling decisions and not to dismiss proven varieties simply because they are no longer on the AHDB Recommended List (RL).

Agrii seed key account and performance manager Ian Davy explained that seed breeders have done amazing work over recent years and varieties have never been stronger in terms of yield potential and resilience.

See also: Why Devon farmer is growing oilseed rape again

“While the RL features new additions each year, improvements are increasingly incremental.”

Just because a variety is not on the RL doesn’t mean it’s a poor variety, particularly if they’ve worked well on farm in previous years and in the context of the management approach being used, he said.

Last year, some of Agrii’s best-performing crops came from established names including Vegas and Maverick from NPZ, Kanzzas from RAGT and Limagrain’s Adapt.

“Vegas, for example, remains a high-gross-output hybrid with an excellent disease profile, especially against verticillium stem stripe, and was our third biggest-selling variety last year after being introduced three years ago.

“It’s a variety continuing to perform well in trials and on farm too, despite it no longer being on the 2026-27 RL.”

He added that Kanzzas is also a good example of a variety that did not make it onto the RL, but says it is their most vigorous variety and proven to be a top performer on sites with high level of cabbage stem flea beetle.

“As well as its rapid growth rate outpacing larval attack, it also has the added advantage of outstanding light leaf spot resistance.”

Mr Davy said Adapt is another established variety Agrii is backing for 2026 drilling, offering high gross output, good all-round disease resistance, pod shatter resistance and turnip yellows virus resistance, with strong autumn development making it well suited to later drilling.

While proven varieties should form the basis of plans, he added that growers should remain open-minded about new options.

RL newcomers

“New RL addition Domingos, for example, looks very promising with its strong combination of high gross output, excellent agronomic properties and strong vigour, particularly in the spring to minimise CSFB larval damage.

He points out that it was the highest-yielding variety in Agrii’s trials last year and combines high yields with high oil content, plus it’s suitable for all soil types with a recommendation for the whole of the UK.

“As a general rule, however, we would not suggest putting more than 20% of your OSR area down to new varieties in any one year, particularly in the current circumstances.”

Growers are also advised to consider establishment schemes linked to their variety choices.

“Agrii will be offering various establishment schemes for 2026 drilling across varieties such as Adapt and Auckland, Domingos, Exedge and Exsteel, plus Kanzass and Vegas.

“We would urge growers to talk to their Agrii agronomist or seed specialist as early as practical to discuss these and seed availability as overall UK area is expected to grow again this year.”