All of the top six yielding oilseed rape varieties on this year’s Recommended List (RL) have come from the breeders stable, reinforcing the success of its ‘trait loading’ approach in providing UK growers with varieties that are robust and deliver consistently across seasons and regions.

Two exciting new varieties join these top six on the Recommended List for the first time, LG Aviron and LG Antigua.

Hybrid LG Aviron gains UK wide recommendation with an extremely high gross output of 108% over control. It shares this top position with stable mate Ambassador, which has held onto its very high yields for the second season in a row.

“Trait loading of our varieties means that LG Aviron offers the N-Flex trait unique to Limagrain’s oilseed rape varieties, as well as resistance to pod shatter, TuYV and RLM 7,” says Will Charlton, Limagrain’s oilseed rape product manager.

“The N-Flex trait is a relatively new trait launched in our hybrids last year offering a step forward in the way that oilseed rape varieties minimise yield loses in sub-optimal N conditions.”

“Ambassador and LG Aviron, the two highest yielding varieties on the RL, possess this trait; and have demonstrated their robustness and resilience in what was a challenging season for oilseed rape.”

“LG Aviron has proven itself to be a very vigorous hybrid, that can establish well in challenging seedbeds.”

Gaining recommendation for the east/west with an extremely high gross output of 109% of control and 108% for the UK, LG Antigua is the second of Limagrain’s fully loaded hybrids to join the top six on the RL this autumn.

“LG Antigua offers a comprehensive genetic traits package: combining TuYV, pod shatter and RLM7 resistance and good disease resistance.”

“The variety has excellent plant vigour characteristics in both the autumn and spring, and offers the earliest maturity available on the RL which is a valuable trait on farm, points out Mr Charlton.

These two new and exciting recommendations join Limagrain’s other outstanding recommended and proven varieties, all of which offer characteristics suitable for certain situations or market requirements, and proved themselves in last season’s challenging conditions.

Ambassador is the joint highest yielding variety on the 2021/22 Recommended list and is the outright highest yielding variety in the east/ west region. Ambassador is a fully loaded hybrid and with proven performance both in trial and on farm – Ambassador is the variety to beat in terms of oilseed rape performance.

Aurelia is a very high yielding hybrid offering high yields across all regions of the UK and is the top yielding variety in the north at 106% of control. A fully loaded hybrid combining genetic TuYV, pod shatter and RLM7 phoma resistance, Aurelia also offers the highest Light Leaf Spot rating (7) available on the RL.

Acacia is the highest yielding conventional variety on the RL and in its second year of recommendation has proven on farm and trial performance at 107% of control. Acacia offers key agronomic characteristics of strong autumn and spring vigour, solid disease resistance and short, stiff straw, combined with a high oil content.

Artemis is a consistently high yielding fully loaded hybrid variety with excellent autumn and spring vigour at 106 % of control. Artemis offers a comprehensive trait package with TuYV resistance, RLM7 and pod shatter. It is one of the tallest hybrids on the List and has very good straw strength attributes for securing yield potential in dry conditions.

Aspire is the only recommended conventional variety with the all important TuYV resistance. It is a short robust plant type with very good straw characteristics. A solid disease and TuYV resistance means Aspire fits the early drilling option perfectly with its slower speed of development.

Aardvark is a conventional variety with early flowering and high vigour and the best disease package out of the recommended conventional varieties. The variety has demonstrated a strong performance across all regions of the UK and has a strong agronomic package including excellent straw strength and solid disease resistance.

To find out more about any of these varieties please visit www.lgseeds.co.uk

“Yield is the most important factor for spring beans, and is a major focus in our breeding programme,” notes Will Pillinger, pulse breeder at Limagrain UK.

“The success of this approach can be seen as LG Raptor moves closer to recommendation offering extremely high yield potential that could see it outyielding the market leader by next season, he says.

“This year LG Raptor showed excellent uniformity throughout the growing season which has translated into a uniform sample.”

“But high yields need to be backed up by solid agronomics and traits, and LG Raptor does this – it is fairly early to mature, stands well and offers a good disease package including rust. This combination of traits makes it a good variety for the north.”

LG Raptor is suitable for human consumption, fish feed and animal protein markets so offers a range of marketing opportunities.

Tom Barker, pulses product manager for Limagrain UK, sums the variety up.” LG Raptor’s consistent yields and disease resistance package mean it will be taking a big bite into the spring bean acreage.”

Large blue pea LG Aviator also moves to a P2 rating with a yield rating of 103% over control.

Will Pillinger explains that the reason for these high yields is because LG Aviator is a multi-podded variety type.

“For each node that LG Aviator produces, there are three pods. This means there are more pods at the top of the plant rather than spread through the plant, making for a more even maturity with less competition for light – and this is a significant characteristic in building yield.”

Agronomically there is much to like about the variety he adds. “LG Aviator is one of only three varieties listed to offer resistance to powdery mildew. It also offers very high levels of tolerance to downy mildew (with a rating of 7).

“It’s early, and has good ratings for standing ability and straw length (rated 6) – making it one of the best agronomic packages of any other provisionally rated varieties.”

“All of this makes for a very exciting variety and definitely one to watch over the next year as it moves towards full recommendation this time next year,” he says.

LG Pulse Breeding Aims for 2021 and Beyond

• Producing consistently reliable varieties for variable seasons
• Increasing resistance to viruses
• Increasing pest tolerance
• Continued focus on breeding for root rot (Aphanomyces) tolerance
• Continued selection for high protein content in peas

New Zealand style system

Ed and Penny Friend run their 360 New Zealand Friesian cross Jersey milkers, plus 170 followers, on 200-hectare Bridgemere Farm, near Nantwich. This spring calving herd averages 5,300 litres of milk, at an impressive 4.97% butterfat and 3.83% protein. Milk is sold to Arla.

Once calved, cows and heifers go out to graze, producing most of their milk from grass. But once dried off, a process that begins in November for the earliest calvers, cows and heifers strip graze fodder beet.

The fodder beet suits Ed’s system – he’s grown the crop to overwinter dry cows and heifers for the past 10 years. “We introduced it when we switched to the New Zealand style system and began increasing cow numbers,” he explains.

“First it was about overwintering cattle outdoors, because we simply didn’t have the facilities to house them. But, once we got a few years in, we could see that they actually do better for being outside and grazing fodder beet.

“We don’t see lameness issues on the beet and body condition is good when the cows calve. The exercise seems to keep them fit and the thick, winter coats they develop are perfect for grazing in February. We’re really pleased with how it’s working and, even if we had the housing facilities, we’d still choose to overwinter our dry cows on fodder beet.”

Success with fodder beet

Success with fodder beet, as with any fodder crop, does take a certain mindset and some organisation, according to his agronomist Agrii’s Ross Dilks.

“But the returns are well worth the effort and I believe that more producers could reap the rewards of growing fodder crops to outwinter livestock – be that heifers or dry cows,” says Ross.

Timeliness when growing these crops is vital. “The work windows can be small, particularly when it comes to spraying with a herbicide. But a quick call to a contractor can sort that.”
Ed, who is also a fully qualified vet, says that is exactly what he does. He lets Ross keep an eye on the crop and literally ‘does as he’s told’. “If Ross calls and says that the crop needs to be sprayed in the next seven days, I get straight on the phone to the contractor,” he laughs.

Joking aside, he knows that if he follows this growing advice he’ll have a high-yielding, weed-free crop come late autumn. This will see his herd successfully through the winter and up until the point of calving.

Robbos fodder beet recommended

He’s grown Limagrain’s fodder beet variety Robbos for the past two years, admittedly on the recommendation of Ross, but he’s been pleased with the results.

“It suits our land, our system, and our cows. It’s not too deep rooted and has plenty of leafy top. It sits at just the right depth and the yields are good.”

Ed finds that the heifers will take the tops off first before investigating the roots, while the cows go straight for the bulbs and don’t waste anything.

Choice of variety is important and needs to suit the system and land type. “Robbos is particularly popular with producers because the crown and root sit above the ground,” adds Ross. “First-time fodder beet growers like it as it’s a reliable and consistent performer and offers high dry matter yields.

“It also offers some flexibility as the root, which is yellow, comes out of the ground very clean compared to some other varieties. It’s easy to harvest and can be stored and fed to housed stock, either whole or chopped. These are all considerations,” he adds.

Ed matches the area of fodder beet grown to his herd’s requirements. He’s now growing 12 hectares a year with two crops in succession, before a grass reseed. Fodder beet also offers a break in the rotation and, because it’s grazed, it also returns some organic matter and nutrients back to the soil.

Pre-drilling

Prior to drilling, he follows the plough with a dressing of chicken manure, from a neighbouring poultry unit. He also applies 400kg/ha of salt: “So the crop thinks it’s growing by the sea. It thrives in salty conditions,” he explains.
Ed also limes the soil before sowing, because the fodder beet prefers it slightly more alkaline than grass – pH 7 compared to pH 6.2.

“So there is a quite a bit of field work, but we know what works for us now and the benefits are well worth the extra time and effort.

Benefits worth the effort

“We’re not mucking out sheds or carting FYM come the spring. And there are no additional costs for housing, such as straw and labour for feeding and bedding up livestock. The benefits of outwintering on a home-grown forage crop can soon stack up, particularly if building space is at a premium.”

That said, Ed says that it is an investment and does require management. “It’s not an easy or cheap option and it has to be done well. That’s everything from drilling and growing the crop, through to measuring yield prior to grazing and then monitoring the crop and cow numbers to make sure it’s grazed efficiently.”

He goes out in September and estimates the yield, so he can put big baled grass silage out in the fields, before conditions get too wet for the loader. “We balance the fodder beet with silage throughout the winter and we have to get this right in the autumn as there’s no way we can get out there with additional bales come November.

“We keep a close eye on the fodder beet from late summer and into autumn to see how it’s growing and maturing and weigh the crop in each individual field to estimate cow numbers required. We’re looking for around 18 tonnes of dry matter per hectare, but typically achieve more,” says Ed.

“The first group on the beet, in early November, is made up of the thinner February calvers plus all the in-calf heifers. Next are the earlier February calvers and the thin March calvers. And finally, at Christmas, we dry off the rest.

“But this is a flexible arrangement and we’ll move cows between groups, or dry more off if required, to keep up with the crop. The crop and the silage bales on offer are fixed but cow numbers can be more flexible.”

In January the cows that are due to calve first move to the beet field closest to the dairy and come in every day, via the parlour, to eat clamp silage instead of bales. “They can then be drafted into the calving yard as they bag up.”

He introduces the cows and heifers to fodder beet gradually, offering a smaller area and slightly more grass silage in early winter. “You have to give the rumen time to adjust to the fodder beet. The bugs are geared up for digesting grass and we have to watch the cows don’t eat too much beet when they’re first turned onto it. But the rumen bugs quickly adapt.” To avoid a drastic change to the ration after calving, Ed even adds a little bought-in beet to the transition ration in early lactation.

Enough to go around

He says that in the decade he’s been growing it, he’s never had a serious shortage. “Even if we have a slow start in the spring or drought in the summer, like the one we had in 2018, the crop quickly catches up after some rain and we’ve always had a good crop ready to grazed come early winter. And that’s essential and reassuring when you’re running a system like ours. We have a lot of dry cows to overwinter and we know that we can rely on fodder beet.”

There’s usually plenty of fodder beet – sometimes slightly too much in a good year. “But we’ve never run short and the milking cows can always ‘clean up’ – nothing goes to waste.”
He stresses that it’s all about monitoring and planning. Ten years of experience and help from other beet enthusiasts has made us better at it.”

FODDER BEET FACTS

• UK climate is perfect for fodder beet, with wet, moist soils in spring for germination

• Ideally light to medium free-draining soils, with a pH of 7

• Sowing late March to late April (soil temperature needs to be at least 10-12OC before sowing)

• Growth through to October or November, with crop adding 30% to its dry matter yields in the final few months of the year

• Harvest/grazing. Ready from mid-September and will stand well during the winter

• Typical feed value: between 15% and 24% DM, crude protein between 12 and 13%, D-value 78%, ME between 12.5 and 13MJ/kg DM

• Approximate growing costs: £1,452 per hectare, £16 per tonne (fresh weight), and £115 per tonne (DM)

You need to choose a variety which:

• Matures at the optimum time for your farm to ensure you can harvest in good conditions avoiding the risk of a late harvest and ensuring maize can be included in the diet soon
• Combines high dry matter yields with excellent starch content and high cell wall digestibility to maximise feed energy values and the milk production potential of your crop
• Allows high intakes of quality forage to cut feed bills

With so many factors to consider, how do you make sure you choose the right variety to optimise return on investment on your farm?

By downloading the LG Maize Manager app, you can make it easy to make the best decision for your farm.

Drawing from extensive UK trials data, the Feed Manager section lets you compare individual varieties for their energy output and milk production potential.

Choosing the best variety over an average option could save over £300/ha in purchased feed costs.

Download the app and see the savings you could be making!

LG Diablo is now the highest yielding spring barley variety with full approval for both brewing and malt distilling on the 2020/21 AHDB Recommended List, says Matt Shand, UK national sales manager for Limagrain UK.

“With this recent approval, LG Diablo now holds the title of being dual-use, demonstrating the robustness of its quality characteristics, as required by end users in both the brewing and malt distilling sectors,” he adds.

It’s not just its quality characteristics that are valuable, says Ron Granger, Limagrain’s arable technical manager. “LG Diablo sits amongst the very top yielders on the AHDB RL, yielding 105% of control. Significantly, its yields are highest in the key malting barley growing areas of the east (106%) and north (107%). 

“LG Diablo’s untreated yields remain at the top of the yield table alongside Laureate at 97% of control, and 2% over that of RGT Planet. This shows just how robust the variety’s disease resistance ratings are.”

Mr Granger sees LG Diablo’s agronomic package as being particularly attractive to growers; LG Diablo has straw characteristics similar to RGT Planet; medium in height (73cm) with good lodging and brackling resistance.

LG Diablo has a very good specific weight, 67.1 kg/hl, which is important in the malting industry as malting is a volume-based process and low specific weights cause reduced throughput in the processing plants, points out Ron.

“Additionally growers with low specific weight parcels will incur penalties if specifications are not met, particularly in times of over -production.”

“Its hot water extract is a similar level to that of Concerto – a trait that helped Concerto to become a benchmark variety. A high hot water extract is heavily desired by the end user in order for them to achieve higher sugar extraction rates from the malt and the ability to create more alcohol – and LG Diablo offers this.”

“Now that the variety has been given the green light by the industry for both brewing and distilling we believe that LG Diablo’s future is very bright as it takes its place as a key variety in the sector – meeting the requirements of both growers and end users,” concludes Mr Shand.

Highest yielding spring barley variety with full approval for both brewing & malt distilling

Spring barley LG Diablo has been given Full Approval for brewing use by the Malting Barley Committee (MBC).

LG Diablo is now the highest yielding spring barley variety with full approval for both brewing and malt distilling on the 2020/21 AHDB Recommended List

This year’s crops may only just be in the clamp or feed trough, but Mr Richmond believes it will be important to select varieties for 2021 in the next few weeks.

“Recent advances in plant breeding mean there are real advantages in being more targeted in variety selection,” he comments. “At the same time, we are seeing an increasing range of selection criteria with agronomy and how varieties fit into rotations becoming a higher priority.”

Tim Richmond, Maize Manager

Mr Richmond suggests environmental pressures mean there is an increased need to ensure successor crops are established in the autumn to prevent stubbles being overwintered. At the same time undersowing maize with grass to provide cover shows signs of increased popularity.

He also points to the drive to maximise forage output per hectare per year which combined with multicut grass systems means more farmers are looking to sow maize after first cut, which can reduce the growing season with implications for variety choice.

“When these factors are added to the production goals of achieving a high yield of an energy rich, high quality feed delivering a good return on investment, selecting the right variety is even more important.

“The days of growing a variety because ‘it has always done well’ have been replaced with the need to select the best variety for the circumstances.  In addition, it is important to make sure varieties can help reduce the risk of seasonal variation and you will want to make sure you have seed with the appropriate seed treatment.

Mr Richmond says the advances in maize variety breeding mean newer varieties offer a considerable financial advantage over earlier cultivars.  He quotes an analysis of LG varieties that shows that over the last 17 years dry matter yield per hectare has increased by 20% or 2.98t/ha. At the same time, starch yield has been increased by 24%, equivalent to over an extra 1 t/ha and ME yield by 27% or an additional 43,750MJ/ha due to a combination of higher yields and superior quality.

“This extra energy is enough to produce an additional 8,200 litres per hectare delivering an exceptional return on investment from choosing the latest genetics.”

He warns that this year variety availability could be compromised depending on the form of Brexit arrangement which is implemented as all maize seed is imported. Making the selection soon and getting seed organised early could be a wise business decision.

With variety selection becoming increasingly complicated with a greater range of parameters to consider, Mr Richmond says it is crucial to make sure to use independent data to inform decisions, rather than just taking the breeders word for it.

The new Maize Manager app is available now!

He says the BSPB/NIAB Forage Maize Descriptive List is the industry standard. It organises independent Descriptive List testing for forage maize varieties, financed by the BSPB and managed by NIAB. It compares the major maize varieties grown in the UK marketplace across the key growing locations, with comparisons made on dry matter, yield, quality characteristics such as starch and energy and finally agronomic data incorporating five years of trials.

“It provides a good way to compare and sort varieties to develop a short list to meet your circumstances and varieties not on the list will probably not be worth growing.”

He advises selecting varieties based on a number of both agronomic and feed quality criteria.  The first is maturity.  How quickly do you want a variety to mature?  Increasingly he says the market is moving towards varieties in the early and very early classifications as these varieties require fewer Ontario Heat Units (OHU) to reach maturity and are classified by having a lower FAO rating below FAO180.  This means that they require only a short growing season to mature and also can be harvested sooner, in better conditions and ensure a successor crop can be established.

“To help identify suitable varieties for different parts of the country, our Maize Manager App uses Met Office data to show OHU accumulations by post code and provides an FAO recommendation for your location.”

Mr Richmond says that early varieties used to be associated with lower yields but comments this is no longer the case.

He advises selecting varieties with good early vigour as you want seed to germinate and get away quickly.  He points out that the quicker the plant can start photosynthesising, the faster it will grow away.

Once varieties have been identified in the appropriate maturity class and your site class, the next key stage is to refine the list based on the yield and quality potential of the variety. Mr Richmond stresses the importance of focusing on quality because to maximise forage intakes you need varieties produce silage which encourages high intakes.

“With 50% of the total energy in maize contained in the vegetative parts of the plant, varieties combining high starch and high cell wall digestibility (CWD) should be chosen.  Higher CWD results in a higher quality feed and encourages faster rumen throughput and higher intakes.

“The overall objective should be to select varieties that will mature at a time to suit the farm and rotation and produce the yields of quality forage to optimise return on investment (ROI).”

The difference in return on investment can be considerable and using BSPB/NIAB data, The LG Maize Manager App allows varieties to be ranked on this basis. He says early maturing varieties combining good starch and Cell Wall Digestibility will drive productivity per hectare.

He says the data show that new varieties deliver a substantial financial benefit. The variety Prospect for example is maturity class 9 / FAO170 but is above average for dry matter yield across all varieties on the BSPB/NIAB List.  It has exceptional CWD combined with high starch and will produce 210,095MJ/ha, enough to produce 39,808 litres which is 2082 litres more than average.

Conclusion is a first-choice variety on this year’s BSPB/NIAB list and with an FAO190 is still early maturing, ensuring a timely harvest.  It out-yields all earlier varieties on both ME and dry matter, supporting 2432 litres/ha more than average

Whatever variety is selected, Mr Richmond stresses the need to ensure an appropriate see dressing is used.  He says that Korit will remain the only registered bird repellent.

He comments that bird repellents are only needed where bird damage will be a problem but says there remains considerable interest in seed dressings that also help the crop get established.

“For example, Korit Pro combines the bird repellent effect with trace minerals to stimulate root growth and function and a fungicide to prevent root damage caused by rhizotonia.  So, it will be important to find out what dressings are available on your variety of choice.

“Making a decision soon based on the latest data will help ensure that the maize you grow fits your farming system and will deliver the best return on investment while helping meet the increased environmental pressures being faced,” he concludes.

Download the Maize Manager App today, select your app store:

“Yield is the most important factor for spring beans, and is a major focus in our breeding programme,” notes Will Pillinger, pulse breeder at Limagrain UK.

“The success of this approach can be seen as LG Raptor moves closer to recommendation offering extremely high yield potential that could see it outyielding the market leader by next season, he says.

“This year LG Raptor showed excellent uniformity throughout the growing season which has translated into a uniform sample.”

“But high yields need to be backed up by solid agronomics and traits, and LG Raptor does this – it is fairly early to mature, stands well and offers a good disease package including rust. This combination of traits makes it a good variety for the north.”

LG Raptor is suitable for human consumption, fish feed and animal protein markets so offers a range of marketing opportunities.

Tom Barker, pulses product manager for Limagrain UK, sums the variety up.” LG Raptor’s consistent yields and disease resistance package mean it will be taking a big bite into the spring bean acreage.”

Large blue pea LG Aviator also moves to a P2 rating with a yield rating of 103% over control.

Will Pillinger explains that the reason for these high yields is because LG Aviator is a multi-podded variety type.

“For each node that LG Aviator produces, there are three pods. This means there are more pods at the top of the plant rather than spread through the plant, making for a more even maturity with less competition for light – and this is a significant characteristic in building yield.”

Agronomically there is much to like about the variety he adds. “LG Aviator is one of only three varieties listed to offer resistance to powdery mildew. It also offers very high levels of tolerance to downy mildew (with a rating of 7).

“It’s early, and has good ratings for standing ability and straw length (rated 6) – making it one of the best agronomic packages of any other provisionally rated varieties.”

“All of this makes for a very exciting variety and definitely one to watch over the next year as it moves towards full recommendation this time next year,” he says.

LG Pulse Breeding Aims for 2021 and Beyond

• Producing consistently reliable varieties for variable seasons
• Increasing resistance to viruses
• Increasing pest tolerance
• Continued focus on breeding for root rot (Aphanomyces) tolerance
• Continued selection for high protein content in peas

Can growers’ control BYDV with Insecticides?

As a result of recent neonicotinoid bans implemented by European legislation, key chemistry sets, such as Deter, have been withdrawn with major implications on the control of aphids.

Moderate levels of pyrethroid resistance are also widespread in grain aphid populations in the UK, so it is essential to follow resistance management guidance and to target chemical control carefully.

Growing BYDV tolerant varieties in conjunction with foliar insecticide sprays if aphid threshold populations are met, gives growers increased security for ensuring maximum yield potential on farm.

Is BYDV a top priority for the Limagrain Barley Breeding Programme?

Yes! Breeding for BYDV tolerance is a high priority for the Limagrain Winter Barley Programme, and is incorporated with key characteristics such as high yield potential, good grain quality and the agronomic characteristics of good disease resistance and straw strength.

Milder autumns are resulting in an increase in aphids and the number of generations per year; hence the need to select tolerant/ resistant varieties. We have identified a gene ‘RYD2’ with effective tolerance.

Can you explain the genetic tolerance?

The RYD2 gene reduces levels of susceptibility to the viral infection, so the plant will still get infected, but will tolerate the virus and grow normally with minimal yield loss.

Does Limagrain have varieties with BYDV tolerance, for commercial release in the near future?

Yes – Limagrain has already released commercial varieties both in Europe and the UK, such as the 6-row conventional variety, Rafaela, and will continue this focus within the UK Programme.

This new Scheme is likely to have 3 main tiers, focusing on different areas:

Tier 1 focusing on environmentally sustainable farming, including soil protection and improvement, field margins and cover crops. Aimed to be easy for farmers to engage with.

Tier 2 locally targeted environmental outcomes, including habitat creation.

Tier 3 landscape scale land use change projects, including forestry and woodland creation.

Some lessons learned from previous Schemes include: a need to have a high level of uptake, better objectives, not overly prescriptive and better access to advisory services – all of which are welcomed. Limagrain UK will continue to monitor the Scheme’s progression, with a view to develop and test some new seed mixtures that will help deliver some of the environmental objectives.

Look out for future updates.

Turtle doves are an endangered species; the UK population has declined by almost 90% during the last 30-40 years, and captive breeding will help to ensure that this beautiful species of dove does not face extinction, explains Trevor Lay of the East Anglia branch of the Turtle Dove Trust.

“A key part of the project is to feed the released doves until they migrate in the autumn. Ideally this will reduce the need for them to migrate to parts of Europe and North Africa, where they are still actively hunted.”

This is where Limagrain was able to help the Trust. Earlier this year, the company donated several tonnes of oilseed rape screenings, which has provided supplementary feeding for the released birds in gateways, tracks and headlands, as they adjust to foraging for their natural diet.

As a charity, the Trust has very limited funds Trevor explains, so we are always delighted when companies and individuals step up to the mark to help the project. Anyone wanting to find out more about the Trust, please contact him via email on: waveneywildlife@gmail.com

At harvest the crop in the trial at Strichen achieved a yield of 3.11t/ha, with 43% oil; cost calculations showed a gross margin of £2,624/ha, assuming a price of £900/t. In a second trial at Fraseburgh, yields were 2.4t/ha, so slightly less but still bringing in a healthy gross margin in a very challenging year in which to grow oilseed rape.

“The LG Aurelia did much better than many conventionally-grown OSR crops in this area, so quite a few farmers in the area have asked what variety it is – and they wouldn’t believe it was organic,” he says.

“It also proved easy to combine, so all in all it has been a very positive variety to grow.”

Aurelia Winter Oilseed Rape

“The key to the success of an organic crop is choosing a variety with good autumn and spring vigour and strong agronomic characteristics, so for this reason I chose the hybrid LG Aurelia which offers all of these.”

“LG Aurelia has the best disease resistance package on the AHDB Recommended List, along with TuYV resistance and pod shatter resistance. It also offers a high gross output and oil yield.”

He has repeated the trials again this year, and at the end of the first week of September, the 2020 planted crop drilled on 20th August already has two leaves.

Andy uses his own organic starter treatment mixture applied in the seed-bed which helps protect the crop from flea beetle, while a sulphur-based nutrient product helps deter pollen beetles.

All sites received sulphur- based nutrition at 5-leaf stage and stem extension. Another dose of sulphur based nutrition was applied at petals fall.

“We could have done more with nutrition, I feel our main limiting factor is nitrogen, and this will be addressed next season.

“I also plan to feed the crop a little earlier, as soon as there is enough leaf we will apply a nice organic cocktail. My plan is to drive yield up by 20%,” says Mr Cheetham.

He reflects that the results prove that going back to basics works best, including covering the ground to help reduce weeds.