Stick with OSR
Stick with OSR
IF oilseed rape yields average 3.75t/ha (30cwt/acre) on your farm, then stick with the crop, says PBICs oilseed rape marketing manager Chris Black.
"Although the prospect of lower returns may tempt some growers to remove or reduce rape in the rotation, growers should consider the traditionally cyclic nature of markets. Oversupply and lower values usually result in reduced production and firming prices. We are predicting a crop price of £130/t for harvest 2000."
Following crop benefits, highlighted by ARCresults, add to the argument for an oilseed rape based rotation not continuous cereals.
or other breaks, he adds. "Trials conducted by ARC demonstrate that as a break-crop winter rape has the highest impact on first wheat yields," he says (see table).
TABLE
MEAN YIELD BENEFIT TO WHEAT AFTER A BREAK CROP
Break Crop Yield as % of continuos wheat
W.osr 131
Peas 126
Beans 118
Linseed 117
Grass 111
Mean of 3-year ARC trial
Source: PBIC