Avoid harvesting OSR at high temperatures, United Oilseeds warns

A growers’ co-operative is advising farmers to consider harvesting their oilseed rape crops in late evenings, at night and in mornings to avoid risks of penalties upon delivery.

OSR crops delivered too warm or dry to store or for crush, face cooling costs or rejection claims, United Oilseeds warned.

With daytime temperatures rising rapidly above 30C and to potentially record highs, growers need to take care to ensure rape crops are within temperature and moisture specifications.

See also: Harvest 2022: Early winter barley yields well as heatwave intensifies

Temperatures when cutting crops need to be a maximum of 25C to avoid a cooling charge or potential rejection into store – and deliveries to crush may be rejected if too warm.

Moistures should be between 6% and 9%, but up to 10% is easily dealt with on Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Associations claim or drying charge, if it is long-term storage.

Avoid cutting #OSR in High Temps! OSR delivered too warm/dry to store or the Crush, faces cooling costs or rejection/claims. See https://t.co/wLBtQeK2x3 for tips & spec details @BeckiiGibbs @AJHMilne @pennock66 @Tula205 @holly_gourley @AaronCantrill1 @owencuos @BeckyBeesley1 pic.twitter.com/fzvTE47jYu

— United Oilseeds (@UnitedOilseeds) July 11, 2022

Below 6% will not get a moisture bonus into store, will get rejected into Cargill mills at Liverpool and Hull, or face a claim if delivered to Erith.

Immature seeds need to be less than 4.0% green when crushed. Red seeds are acceptable if they crush yellow on the inside.

For further information, call your local United Oilseeds area manager or see www.unitedoilseeds.co.uk.