Spring barley will always be a preferred spring crop for many growers, as it is an established crop of the rotation and offers wide flexibility over sowing date, and generally delivers an economical return on investment.

Although contracts for malting barley may be restricted this season, there will still be contracts offered, so it’s worth asking around in your vicinity or directly with your buying groups to see what’s available.

If malting contracts are not available, I would suggest that you have two options – firstly grow a dual use malting variety that the industry recognises, which may offer an opportunity if a demand becomes available for malting crops, after harvest 2026.

Or secondly, grow for out and out high yield potential, as this may give you a better return on investment, not only from the grain tonnage but more importantly from the straw, as there is a definite shortage of straw due to the testing season of 2025.

Limagrain’s work suggests that keeping and maintaining tiller number is essential for both grain and straw yield and this can be done in a number of ways. An earlier drilling date in a good seedbed with rising soil and air temperatures is always beneficial for any spring crop – the earlier you can get a crop established the better the opportunity for a crop to ride the stress of a dry spring, from better rooting and tiller number.

Nitrogen inputs and timing are certainly very important along with macro and micronutrients – these are key inputs to get the crop established and maintain tiller numbers for achieving final high yield potential. It’s important that spring crops are not limited for nutrient recourses, as a halt in plant growth usually results in a drop in yield potential.

Importantly, spring barley has proved itself as the ‘go to’ crop to use when blackgrass has become an issue on farm; certainly in the southeast of England, on many farms, it has now become the tool of choice along with other factors to help control blackgrass populations. In this scenario spring barley is usually drilled later to allow for either delayed cultivations, or herbicide control and in many cases, these are used jointly to ensure a reduced blackgrass population.

Drilling later has its dangers, especially around the erratic seasons we now appear to have, but generally seed rates need to be raised once you get past the end of March to compensate for the lack of time for tillering – basically your increasing tiller number per square meter by increasing seed rate with late sowings, to ensure maximum tiller number is achievable for maximum yield potential.

Independent crop consultant Pat Thornton, farms 150ha’s of arable land at Low Melwood Farm, Owston Ferry, North Lincolnshire, and has grown cereal and pulse seed crops for Limagrain for the last six years.

We asked him about the pros and cons of growing crops for seed.

What are the main benefits of growing crops for seed?

Growing crops for seed adds value to what I already grow across the rotation. It gives me a premium on top of a standard feed crop. One of the most exciting aspects is seeing new genetics in action before they become widely available. It’s great to be part of that development process and see how these new crops perform in real farm conditions. I have direct access to the breeder, which is invaluable for understanding the crop and getting expert advice. Seed crops are also collected relatively quickly at harvest, helping to move crops on faster; and this helps with cash flow.

Are there any challenges associated with growing crops for seed?

Yes, growing seed crops requires stricter quality control and attention to detail. There are specific requirements for purity and disease management, which means I must follow precise guidelines to meet standards. We have to be extra vigilant about weeds like wild oats, which can be an issue, and blackgrass, which is a particular challenge on my heavier soils. To manage this, I tend to grow seed crops on my cleaner fields.

Is storage capability an issue?

Storage is an important consideration because seed crops need to be kept separately to maintain purity. This means having dedicated storage space and ensuring it is well-managed to meet seed quality standards.

Pat Thornton of Low Melwood Farm.

This year Pat is growing LG Beowulf and Tundra winter beans. Pat has grown Tundra for a few years now and is looking forward to seeing the new genetics coming out of the LG pulses breeding programme.

Find out how becoming an LG seed contract grower can benefit you.  Contact Victoria Smith on:

 T: +44(0)1472 370159
E: victoria.smith@limagrain.co.uk

This article is featured in the June 2025 edition of GatePost.  Click here to read the full edition.

As growers continue to face increasing agronomic and environmental pressures, the value of cover and companion cropping is clearer than ever. These practices not only support sustainable farming systems but also deliver real performance benefits across the rotation – improving soil health, nutrient efficiency, and pest management.

Establishing a cover crop over the winter months helps minimise nutrient leaching and erosion, whilst also benefitting soil structure and biology. Companion cropping offers a strategic way to enhance crop resilience and field performance. They can act as a trap crop for pests, help suppress weeds, protect soils and increase nutrient efficiency, as well as provide improved habitat for wildlife.

There are various options for SFI-eligible crops for integrated pest management CIPM3 – companion crops on arable and horticultural land, worth £55/ha for those already accepted into the scheme, such as;

• Clover understories
• Cereal with Crimson/Berseem clover
• Oilseed with Berseem clover/Fenugreek
• Trap crops to divert pest activity
• Undersown maize
• Cereals undersown with grass

Companion cropping with Oilseeds
Companion plants are sown alongside a primary crop to improve its agronomic behaviour. Some of the benefits of growing a legume-based companion crop with oilseed rape are:

• Improve the oilseed rape yield
• To ensure an improved Nitrogen supply in late winter by combining it with selected N fixing legumes (typically, 30-40 units of N/ha after destruction)
• Help reduce weed competition
• To help improve soil aeration in the top 20cm of the soil
• Insect attack rate is consistently lower in the presence of a companion crop, especially in Autumn, where egg-laying activity is disrupted
• Sensitivity to diseases specific to oilseed rape, such as sclerotinia and club root, does not increase when companion crops are used

As with any crops, fields containing high weed pressure are not suitable for companion cropping, as the combination of weeds and companion crop will inhibit the oilseed plants.
Vetch and berseem clovers are easy to drill and will create rapid soil coverage and good Autumn plant development, maximising biomass potential. They can produce excellent Nitrogen replenishment for the oilseed rape plants after crop destruction. Fenugreek may offer some repellence against insect pests.

When should I sow/terminate?
The best companion crops are sown in August; the earlier the better as to increase frost sensitivity of the companion crop and to get the crop to the most advanced stage. Some companion crops can be drilled 2 weeks earlier, allowing drilling of the oilseed rape seed into a standing companion crop. In a typical winter, the companion crop should be killed by winter frosts.

SFI Mixture Options

• Multispecies Cover Crop
• • Fast-growing short term cover crop mixture, for sowing in Spring or Summer
  • Produces high levels of organic matter
  • Includes a range of species with differing rooting depths to benefit soil structure
  • Good canopy to protect the soil surface and minimise soil run-off
  • Includes; White Mustard, Buckwheat, Common Vetch, Crimson Clover

• Sow at 20kg/ha, April-Aug Suitable for SOH2, SOH3
•  
•  

Lift N Fix

• • 80% Humbolt Forage Rye – fast-growing, lifts and holds Nitrogen preventing leaching, forms dense cover
  • 20% Vetch – fixes Nitrogen ready for the subsequent crop
  • Helps penetrate compacted soils and provides excellent weed smothering properties
  • Perfect for sowing after cereals

Sow at 70-80kg/ha, Sept-Oct Suitable for CSAM3, SOH4

This article is featured in the June 2025 edition of GatePost.  Click here to read the full edition.

An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy for oilseed rape combines multiple practices to combat pests, disease and weeds. UK growers are aware of oilseeds susceptibility to a variety of pests. Notably, cabbage stem flea beetle, but crops can also fall prey to aphids and slugs to name but a few, as well as a range of diseases like verticillium, sclerotinia and clubroot.

Ever tightening legislation on chemical controls and increasing resilience to Pyrethroids, means a comprehensive IPM strategy is essential for managing these threats, while reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.

1. Cultural Practices

Cultural control methods are the first line of defence. Lengthening the crop rotation is one of the most effective strategies, as it disrupts pest life cycles and reduces the build-up of soil-borne diseases. Growing oilseed rape in a longer rotation with non-host crops, such as cereals or legumes, helps to break pest and disease cycles – particularly for pests like cabbage root fly or cabbage stem flea beetle. Rolling an oilseed crop shortly after drilling helps to create good seed to soil contact, ensuring good efficacy of any pre-emergent herbicide by breaking down any remaining clods of soil, as well as reducing the risk of slug damage.
Additionally, sowing and harvesting at optimal times can avoid the peak periods of pest pressure. For instance, early sowing can give the plant enough biomass to survive a CSFB attack, whereas, delaying sowing can help reduce the early-season damage caused by CSFB. Choosing pest-resistant varieties, such as those resistant to TuYV or with high disease rating,
further bolster the crop’s resilience. Appling early fertiliser to give the crop enough nutrition to get it up, away and through winter, is also critical to a successful crop.

2. Monitoring and Early

Detection Regular monitoring of the crop is essential for early detection and intervention. Growers should visually inspect damage/disease or use sticky traps to monitor pest populations. Aphid and CSFB populations can be monitored to track thresholds for application. Additionally, using pheromone traps for species such as diamondback moth or cabbage root fly, can help
track population dynamics. Incorporating decision support systems enables farmers to predict pest pressure, ensuring that the most effective control measures are used at the right time. Early detection ensures that these are targeted and effective methods.

3. Biological Control

Biological control leverages natural predators and parasitoids, to reduce pest populations; natural enemies like parasitic wasps can help manage aphid populations. Farmers can encourage beneficial organisms by maintaining habitats, such as wildflower strips or hedgerows, which support a diverse range of species.

4. Chemical Control

Chemical control can be used where necessary, focusing on selective and targeted applications. Farmers should monitor pest populations and apply pesticides only when thresholds are met, ensuring the chemicals maximum efficiency. Selective use of insecticides and herbicides can target specific pest species while minimising harm to beneficial insects and crops. To prevent pesticide resistance, it’s essential to rotate chemistry where options are available, avoiding repeated use of the same chemicals. Timing is critical – applying pesticides when pests are most vulnerable or actively targetable, i.e. not within the stems or hidden under foliage, is key to improving efficacy and reducing overall number of applications. 

5. Resistant Varieties and Genetic Innovations

Genetically resistant and resilient varieties of oilseed rape are a valuable tool within IPM strategy. These varieties are bred to combat specific pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical interventions. Varieties resistant to clubroot for instance, are widely used in areas where clubroot is a known problem. Genetic innovation can be massively impactful in terms of general disease resistance, whilst improved agronomic characteristics contribute to the overall sustainability of the crop. Most recently, LG have identified flea beetle resilience within oilseed rape, which works within a wider IPM strategy, to curtail this devastating pest. If opting to drill late suits your IPM strategy, a genetically vigorous variety is required for faster speed of development.
Early drilling on the other hand, requires a variety that is slightly slower out of the blocks.

6. Weed Management

Weed management is another key component of oilseed rape IPM. Weeds can pose a significant challenge, so a combination of cultural, mechanical, and chemical control methods are employed. Crop rotation with different modes of action, help to manage weed control, while techniques like the use of cover crops or stale seedbeds, can suppress weed growth. Mechanical control, such as using weed harrows or inter-row cultivation, also aids in weed management – especially during the early stages of crop growth, and can also reduce the reliance on chemical methods.

This article is featured in the June 2025 edition of GatePost.  Click here to read the full edition.

The inclusion of winter barley can significantly enhance productivity, as well as economic and environmental sustainability on farm. Unfortunately, in recent years, there has been a decline in the winter barley area planted, similar to oilseed rape, likely due to depressed commodity prices.

The versatility of winter barley, particularly in combination with oilseed rape, should not be overlooked. This is especially relevant with the launch of Limagrain’s Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle resilience oilseed varieties this Autumn.

Improved Soil Health
Winter barley has a positive impact on soil health. It acts as a cover crop, protecting the soil from erosion and nutrient leaching during the winter months. Its root system improves
soil structure, increases organic matter, and enhances water infiltration, all of which contribute to long-term soil fertility.

Weed Suppression

Winter barley is effective at suppressing weeds. Its rapid establishment and dense canopy outcompete many weed species, reducing the weed seed bank and minimising
herbicide use. This lowers production costs and promotes sustainable farming by reducing inputs.

Flexibility, Pest & Disease Management

Incorporating winter barley into the rotation can break the cycle of pests and diseases. For example, it reduces the incidence of take-all and eyespot. Staffordshire farmer Rob Atkin mentions that “being able to drill varieties with high yield potential, like LG Caravelle, means we can drill early. Early September drilling helps take the pressure off, and we’ve grazed forward winter barley crops with sheep for extra feed into winter.”
Limagrain’s Cereals & Pulses Product Manager emphasises that winter barley requires earlier foliar applications than winter wheat. This consolidation of workload allows for more effective attention to crop needs.

Newly Recommended variety LG Carpenter and RL Candidate LG Catapult are both BYDV tolerant. BYDV in severe cases can lead to significant crop losses, up to 50% in severe cases, reduced tillering, yellowing and stunted growth, and delayed maturity. LG Catapult is a competitive two-row feed variety, with short straw, good standing, a robust disease package, and high yield potential; a clear step forward in winter barley breeding.

Yield Stability and Early Harvest
Winter barley is less affected by adverse weather compared to spring-sown crops, ensuring reliable yields even in challenging growing seasons. Additionally, it matures earlier, allowing for an earlier harvest, which frees up time and resources on farm. Helping to spread workloads and save costs. Varieties like LG Capitol, which performed well on Luke Palmer’s farm, near Cambridge, yielded 9.5t/ha in 2024. The years of breeding, attention to detail, and collaboration between farmers and breeders, are showcasing excellent results.

Economic Benefits
Due to adverse weather in Autumn 2023, many farmers planted spring barley in 2024, leading to depressed prices. Over the last decade, winter barley has been a profitable addition for farmers. Its early harvest provides early cash flow, and the straw offers an additional income stream. The reduced need for inputs also lowers production costs.

Environmental Benefits

Winter barley plays an essential role in reducing soil erosion, improving soil health, and lowering input needs, making it a key part of a sustainable farming system.

Conclusion
Winter barley offers numerous benefits, including improved soil health, weed suppression, pest and ” disease management, yield stability, and economic and environmental advantages. For these reasons, it should remain a valuable addition to any crop rotation.

This article is featured in the June 2025 edition of GatePost.  Click here to read the full edition.

From unpredictable weather, to evolving disease threats, there are numerous risks to crop profitability; some of which can be managed,
or at least mitigated, with careful variety selection, says our arable technical manager, Ron Granger.

Yield remains a top priority when choosing what to grow, but the key is selecting proven varieties that deliver “yield security” across multiple, often very different seasons, by combining yield potential with agronomics and disease resistance, suited to specific situations.
Yield security is something Limagrain is providing, with a range of exciting hard wheat varieties, including LG Typhoon, LG Beowulf, LG Rebellion, and two new Candidates for 2025, LG Challenger and LG Defiance.

LG Typhoon has been on the RL for three years, and has proven popular with many agronomists and farmers, especially those drilling early and with wider-row
regen-type systems. It has an excellent disease resistance profile, especially for yellow rust (9) and Septoria tritici (7.2). This, combined with orange wheat blossom midge (OWBM) resistance, good specific weight and agronomic characteristics of a slow, prostrate, growth habit, and high tillering ability, all suit such situations.
These characteristics make LG Typhoon a great all-round package, but it should not just be considered as an early drilling variety. It has proven to be a great all-rounder, showing good results when drilled later, affording extra flexibility should the weather disrupt plans.

LG Beowulf takes genetic gains further, building on its strong Costello x Gleam parentage. It offers robust disease resistance, rated 9 for yellow rust, and 6.6 for Septoria tritici, stiff straw, strong tillering, OWBM resistance and excellent grain quality, particularly specific weight. LG Beowulf has all the key agronomic attributes for securing yield potential, with proven performance across different situations, soil types, drilling dates, and regions. It is a variety that offers great all-round flexibility, suiting most on-farm situations, and is certainly one for consideration this Autumn. It also has faster Spring growth than LG Typhoon, which could make it a better option for those concerned about black-grass and wanting to maximise crop competition. Another variety with variety with growth is LG Rebellion. Although not on the RL, it has performed consistently well over the past three years in official trials and Limagrain remains fully committed to it for the coming Autumn, confident that it offers a differential package to many other hard feed wheats. LG Rebellion capitalises on its KWS Extase parentage, offering more rapid Spring growth, high untreated yield potential, and good grain characteristics, with the bonus of Pch1 eyespot resistance.

Early maturity is a particularly valuable asset for spreading harvest date and the potential for land preparation or an early entry into oilseed rape.
LG Rebellion is more suited to the main and late drilling window, performing well on all soil types, but probably warrants special consideration for more testing, lighter and medium-bodied soils where varieties with faster growth, earlier maturity, and good specific weight are considered beneficial. It also suits growers wanting to sow a hard wheat after late-lifted root crops, veg,
and maize. Yellow rust is something to watch out for on-farm, but recent seasons show all varieties – even those with the highest resistance ratings – should be monitored, given the pathogens constantly evolving nature.

Raising the Bar

The two exciting new Candidate varieties, LG Challenger and LG Defiance, promise to raise the yield potential bar further, backed up by high untreated yields. They mark the latest results of ongoing Limagrain breeding development, bringing new hard wheats to the UK market.

LG Defiance builds on its Gleam x KWS Extase parentage, offering the second-highest treated yield of all Candidate varieties (111); slightly ahead of three-way cross, LG Challenger (108). LG Defiance is more of a KWS Extase-plant type, but with a slower Spring growth, suiting the mainstream to late drilling window. 

LG Challenger, in contrast, sits tighter to the ground and tillers better, which is likely to make it a more suited option for earlier drilling and Northern regions, based on limited data.

Both have OWBM resistance and good grain quality, although LG Challenger has a slight edge on specific weight and Hagberg.
With hard feed wheats accounting for around half the UK wheat market and likely to feature heavily again this Autumn, selecting a variety that fits your situation and offers yield security is key to maximising returns, whatever next season throws at us!

This article is featured in the June 2025 edition of GatePost.  Click here to read the full edition. 

Regenerative farming has become a bit of a polarising subject amongst growers in recent years. There are those who reject the term completely and others who have embraced it in its entirety.  Generally, growers are adapting Regen ideas and practices in a way that fits their existing system, with a watchful eye on yields and overall profitability. Equally, breeders and machinery manufacturers alike are paying attention to this trend and innovating accordingly.

“The question we often get asked is whether we are creating the right varieties for regenerative farming systems,” says Ron Granger, arable technical manager at Limagrain.

Though untreated yield figures and disease resistance ratings are useful, there’s no data on varieties grown in wide rows and established by direct-drilling, both of which are typical of the approach. Similarly, the use of inter-row cultivations or companion cropping with wheat may require plants with a specific growth habit and speed of development.

Ron remarked, “What was interesting was the finding that 43% of growers we surveyed in a recent re-gen poll said the RL data isn’t extensive enough for selecting varieties for these systems. It was a real ‘could do better’ moment.”

Factors like consistency, yield and disease resistance have always been integral to the development of new varieties. These are even more important when you consider a variety suitable for regen. Ron also lists attributes such as tillering ability and plant growth habit as well as rooting and grain quality as key considerations.

Cultivation is a basic tenant of regen practice and increasingly farmers are looking for varieties that work with their latest machinery purchase and suit the no or minimal tillage approach.

“From HORSCH’s perspective, it is encouraging to see seed breeders developing and trialling new seed varieties specifically designed for direct drilling and minimum tillage practices. While HORSCH offers a comprehensive range of seeding and tillage equipment, recent trends have shown a shift towards low-disturbance and direct drilling methods. As a result, the outcomes we have observed with LG Typhoon are particularly promising.“

Limagrain have been proactive in testing varieties on farm in a Regen situation. This has resulted in internal endorsements for LG Typhoon and LG Redwald, with the newer varieties LG Beowulf and LG Rebellion also under testing and in the running for consideration for the future. 

The AHDB Recommended List has traditionally served as a catalogue for wheat growers when it comes to selecting varieties for the coming season. Breeder’s compete for the top rankings in this publication each year. With increasingly tough growing conditions, ever tighter margins on farm and stricter legislation on nutrition and chemical inputs. Some farmers take a more granular approach when it comes to varietal selection, 43% of growers in a survey conducted by Limagrain said the RL data isn’t extensive enough for selecting varieties.

“Whilst recommended varieties are often suitable for the more conventional farming systems, there’s a case to be made for selecting varieties tailored towards less orthodox systems” suggests Ron Granger, LG’s arable technical manager.

As a plant breeder at the forefront of food production, we believe good genetics are the backbone of our agricultural economy in the UK, and it appears farmers agree! We received 900 responses to our survey of wheat growers, with further thoughts and ideas gathered during focus groups and stakeholder interviews it was made abundantly clear that disease and pest resistance is key when selecting a variety. Other agronomic features such as good grain quality and high, stable yields were also highlighted.

Ron Granger – Arable Technical Manager

Senior wheat breeder, Phil Tailby confirms, “this is very much aligned with the strategy and key objectives of the Limagrain breeding programme in the development of new varieties.

LG Rebellion, despite its unlisted status has demonstrated a very consistent high treated yield over both seasons and regions (UK 106%) This is backed up by an impressive untreated yield (93%), performing consistently across three contrasting high pressure disease years. Although the variety has a good disease resistance profile and has shown very high untreated yield, Yellow Rust was seen in some regions on the variety in 2024 and Limagrain’s technical team suggest that this should be monitored, and if present, treated accordingly to maintain high yield potential on farm.

LG Rebellion has the desirable attribute of early maturity, breaking the trend for later maturing varieties delivering the highest yields. With increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, and the shift in climactic conditions over the past few harvests, this has proved a great attribute on farm. The opportunity to spread both harvest period and workload, offers growers increased flexibility when it comes to things like land preparation and future cropping opportunities.  

LG Rebellion has many of the desirable attributes of key consideration to growers. A high yielding feed wheat that demonstrates strong and consistent performance on farm, backed up by an earlier maturity and with excellent grain quality characteristics of a high hagberg and specific weight. On top of this, the variety has a wide drilling window and shows good results from October sowing onwards through to December, giving growers flexibility for sowing after root crops and maize

 Limagrain considers this variety worthy of its place both on farm and in the market 

#JOINTHEREBELLION

1. Genetic resistance has become a more important factor for varietal selection, how do you think this will develop over years to come?

With increasingly challenging weather conditions and the potential for stricter legislation of chemical inputs, genetic resistance is likely to become an even greater focus in future. However, we need to ensure that the genetic resistance in our varieties remains effective in the face of highly dynamic pathogens such as Yellow rust and Septoria tritici. This is where multi-gene resistance is important. By combining several resistance genes to the same pathogen in a single variety, we provide additional layers of protection and increase the ability of the variety to withstand pathogen attack. Varieties such as LG Rebellion, which perform consistently across several years of high disease pressure, benefit from multi-gene resistance. 

How have you, collectively as a team, developed the multi resistance programme at LG, and what are your plans for the future?

It’s important to recognise that not all resistance gene combinations provide the same level of protection. At Limagrain, we routinely assess the effectiveness of hundreds of different gene combinations in trials across the UK, to identify those which provide the best level of resistance. Through the use of genetic markers, we can quickly and efficiently select breeding lines which have the right genes and ensure that these lines also have other important traits such as good grain quality. To further protect against rapidly evolving pathogens, we’re also continually assessing and introducing new sources of resistances into the breeding program. As our understanding of the mechanisms of resistance continues to increase, we’ll be able to design more multi-gene combinations that work at different stages of the plant life-cycle and through different modes of action.

Rachel Goddard, Cereals Pathologist

We know that fast even establishment is a key defence against adult cabbage stem flea beetle, so it’s important to start with good seedbeds, whatever the drilling date

If you are planning some of your area to hybrid varieties then Clearfield^® varieties justify serious consideration. Many have the valued traits of TuYV tolerance, and resistance to pod shatter and canker.  Hybrid vigour is also a given but in addition Clearfield^® varieties are tolerant to soil residues of commonly used sulphonyl urea (SU) broadleaved and grassweed herbicides in the previous cereal crop. Some of these SUs require ploughing prior to oilseed rape, else germination and early growth can be affected.  Fortunately Clearfield^® varieties are unaffected and grow away strongly.

Clearfield^® varieties are designed to be used with the post-emergence Clearfield^® herbicide Cleravo^® plus adjuvant Dash®.  Cleravo® has the widest weed spectrum of any herbicide, including the brassica weeds such as charlock and runch. Plus the bonus of volunteer cereal control. It can be used from cotyledon of the crop, allowing flexible timing to target weed size of 2-4 true leaves. Competitive weeds such as charlock, chickweed and cranesbill get big quickly, particularly in early drilled crops and need timely removal. Volunteer rape will also be removed, so avoiding over-thick plant populations to manage in the spring

With high populations of charlock or runch, it is tempting to wait for all to emerge, but it is better to get the majority at the correct growth stage, both in terms of weed control & protecting yield.

Note: Clearfield^® herbicides must ONLY be used on Clearfield^® varieties (name has CL suffix).

For early drilled crops, if they reach 4-6 leaves before mid-October, they should be treated with the PGR Caryx® at that 4-6 leaf stage. This will prevent premature stem extension which will make them vulnerable to frosts and to lodging in the spring.

The risk from Phoma and Light Leaf Spot will depend on variety resistance and drilling date..  Varieties with good Phoma resistance can delay the Phoma epidemic and a later single fungicide against both Phoma and Light Leaf Spot may be enough. Target timing for Light Leaf Spot is in early-mid November, and for this disease the early drilled crops are most at risk.

Murray Forsyth is a mixed arable-beef farmer with a total area of 1000 acres in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire. He grows around 170-180 acres of OSR dependant on year and rotation. The current rotation includes winter barley, OSR, winter wheat and 2 spring barleys.

When clubroot first appeared on farm he adopted a wider 5-year rotation, as well as choosing a clubroot resistant variety for afflicted fields.

To keep his crop yielding and profitable, Mr Forsyth takes a technical approach to growing OSR. He has good average to medium soil type and a scheduled soil testing programme on his farm. He aims to keep the value around 6.2, by applying lime to the fields that have a lower pH; he also applies FYM to his fields to keep fertility high.

In terms of cultivation, Mr Forsyth typically ploughs the field before drilling his OSR. He uses a Horsch Express combination drill with DAP as fertiliser (down the spout -around 200 kg/ha) followed by a Cambridge roll. He spreads slug pellets as a precautionary tactic since slugs are a bigger problem than the flea beetle in his area.

Mr. Forsyth’s average OSR yields are between 1.7 and 2 tonnes/acre. In fields affected by clubroot he is growing LG Anarion. He mentions the average yield is in line with the rest of the farm, which is currently LG Armada. He is convinced that varietal choice is keeping his yields at the same levels as the fields unaffected by clubroot.

Mr Forsyth is considering going back to a shorter 4-year rotation, as OSR remains one of the most profitable crops on farm. He records his yields and profits margins across the years, Mr Forsyth notes that OSR is not the cheapest crop to grow, however it remains a very profitable break crop. Maximising acreage for this crop and maintaining a decent yield are key to its success on farm.

Murray Forsyth, Smiddyburn Farm, Inverurie, Aderdeenshire

Using a clubroot resistant variety such as LG Anarion really helps OSR remain as a crucial part of the farm’s rotation, allowing OSR to be grown in fields affected by high clubroot pressure. LG Anarion will also help alleviate the pressure as resistance does not allow clubroot spores to multiply.

R G Taylor & Sons is a mixed, family run farm set on the Lincolnshire marsh at the boundary of the wonderful Lincolnshire Wolds. Day to day the farm is managed by David, alongside his sons, Riley and Kolbie as well as Brian, their grandfather, who at 87 is still very keen to have his say!

Growing up on the family farm, I couldn’t ignore the risks facing the business. Fluctuating weather, input costs and commodity prices or even disease in the cattle can have a dramatic effect on the bottom line which is intrinsically linked to our way of life.

In March 2022 I came up with the idea of turning the oilseed rape which we have always grown on the farm into cold pressed rapeseed oil.

My first point of call was to find a company who could press and bottle our seed for us, to save us a large initial investment and to test the water in terms of market. I did the maths and pitched it to my parents. With them on board, I could start designing some labels for our bottles from our first tonne of seed.

We had a great initial reaction to our oil and found it sold really well in local butchers, delis and farm shops. Customer feedback suggested they liked having a healthier, locally sourced cooking oil at a reasonable price point.

I ended up having two more tonnes of seed bottled before the end of the year, and since then both our output and revenue has increased year on year. We have now invested in a small-scale bottling plant, moving the entire operation on site, with an aim to be pressing in early 2025. This will bring down production costs, meaning we have total control of production, and in the spirit of circular production, we can feed the rape meal from the press to our own cows, or sell it to neighbouring farms for feed.

We’re always looking for new outlets for our oil, and alongside our small bottles we now supply catering tubs to restaurants and other businesses who use the oil not only for cooking but as a base for dressings and marinades – a benchmark of its quality.

It’s been a tough few years for oilseed rape and with it being such an important crop to us, we are always trialling new [to us] ways of establishing it. We have had recent success implementing regenerative practices, such as companion cropping and reduced tillage.

LG Aurelia has been our go to variety for a few years as it’s been most consistent through all conditions, good and bad. It has proven itself to stand tough wet winters and gets going nicely, even when the soil is lacking moisture.

It really is rewarding to bring a crop from seed into an end product we can be proud of. In 2025 we aim to keep expanding the ‘side hustle’ so more people enjoy our oil.

Ultimately, my aim is to take this diversification to a stage where the oil business can supplement the farms income, and help us survive and thrive for future generations of our family.

Riley Taylor