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Know How / Oilseed rape / Crop management

Once it’s up and away, oilseed rape needs careful management and the right nutrition throughout the growing season to ensure it fulfills its potential. See what can be done to maximise output, put a lid on growing costs and keep the crop photosynthesising as it reaches maturity and fills its seeds.

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AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Durham Estate team commits to regenerative agriculture

Raby Estate in County Durham has committed to rolling out regenerative agriculture on its 1,250ha farm and building a legacy for future generations. Farm manager Philip Vickers, one of our…

OILSEED RAPE

Oilseed rape grower cuts back 20% on expensive nitrogen

Wiltshire oilseed rape grower Ben Jeans is looking to cut back 20% on his use of nitrogen fertiliser this spring due to its escalating price and still hopes to be…

OILSEED RAPE

Oilseed rape is on a recovery path as spring approaches

As oilseed rape crops come out of the winter, the positive influences of strong rapeseed prices and good autumn establishment are being offset by rising growing costs. With spring management…

NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

Hants farm sees fertiliser savings with soil nitrogen testing

With bagged ammonium nitrate fertiliser prices rising above £600/t, soil mineral nitrogen testing has become essential for one Hampshire farm manager as he seeks to optimise nutrition across all his…

COVER CROPS

4 growers' methods of effective cover crop destruction

Cover crops are becoming a mainstream option for growers, but their effective removal is critical to get good spring crop establishment. Farmers Weekly speaks to four growers from across the…

SOILS

Liquid digestate and min-till help farm get to carbon neutral

Richard Anthony has achieved carbon neutral farming by using liquid digestate, cover crops and minimal tillage on his south Wales farm, and now looks to sequester even more carbon dioxide.…

Practical advice

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OILSEED RAPE

Tips on growing successful oilseed rape companion crops

Companion cropping has received a mixed response among growers, most of whom have not been familiar with growing two crops simultaneously in the same field. Farmers are understandably wary of…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Tips on tackling five weed issues in no-till systems

Radical effects on weed populations and their management are seen in low-disturbance and no-till systems, reflecting that they involve far more than just changing the drill.  Niab weed expert John…

NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

How to offset high fertiliser prices in arable crops

Not many people foresaw the rapid rise in fertiliser prices this autumn, even those fortunate enough to have bought at what now looks like the bargain June new-season price of…

OILSEED RAPE

Large oilseed rape crops may need less costly nitrogen

Oilseed rape growers may be able to trim back on expensive nitrogen fertiliser this spring as many crops are too forward, and these large-canopy crops could actually result in lower…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Two top fungicides 'almost inseparable' for septoria control

Two recently launched blockbuster cereal fungicides have been “almost inseparable” in terms of controlling septoria disease in winter wheat over the past few seasons, with one of them, Univoq, edging…

Insights

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NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

Should farms sell or chop straw with fertiliser prices high?

The value of straw, whether for power stations or traditional forage and bedding markets remains, buoyant, and many growers will be looking to take advantage of that. However, with high…

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Why OSR growers are enthusiastic in a high-cost season

Optimism surrounding oilseed rape for harvest 2023 continues, despite the high-cost climate, with many growers intending to either return to the break crop or increase their area, a study by…

ARABLE

Regen farming income blip as market volatility increases

High yields and rocketing commodity prices have created a financial "blip" for regenerative farming systems, with margins falling behind those of conventional farms in such an unusual year. Speaking at…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Analysis: What makes top arable farms more profitable?

AHDB data analysis has revealed the secrets behind the top 25% most profitable arable farms – and while yield is the most important factor, having a good handle on costs…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Round-up of firms offering strategic arable advice services

At a time of unprecedented change in the farming industry, there has never been a greater need for impartial advice and direction. Given current uncertainty, strategic agronomy services are increasingly…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Key lessons from £12m arable farming and wildlife project

A better understanding of the contribution made by nature-based solutions to improving the resilience of productive arable land and its ability to deliver higher yields has come from the recently…

NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

Can silicon crop sprays benefit growers this season?

Despite silicon being the world’s second most abundant element, making up 25% of the earth's crust, crops can still benefit from its application, which has a vital role in plant…

CROP MANAGEMENT

What key activities does AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds provide?

Levy payers will be asked in April to shape AHDB’s future by giving their views on how important and valuable key tranches of the board’s work are to their businesses…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Why OSR growers need to be aware of cylindrosporium

UK oilseed rape growers are already familiar with light leaf spot disease with its characteristic puckered leaves, but they may be underestimating the cost of the disease on stem health.…

CROP MANAGEMENT

What AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds spends its levy cash on

AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds is aiming to get on the front foot and attack some of the UK arable industry’s key issues, which are set to be identified in its…

PEST MANAGEMENT

New advice from trials on combating flea beetle in OSR

Choosing the right sowing date, growing companion crops and applying digestate to seed-beds are all showing promise in AHDB-funded trials aimed at combating cabbage stem flea beetle in oilseed rape.…

VARIETY SELECTION

New varieties with better disease resistance get green light

New cereal and oilseed rape varieties with improved yields and resistance to diseases have been given the official green light for next year’s drilling plans, which may help growers with…

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Online resource

AHDB Encyclopaedia of pests and natural enemies in field crops

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AHDB Blackgrass: Integrated weed management

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AHDB The Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) Principles of nutrient management and fertiliser use

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AHDB The Nutrient Management Guide (RB209): Arable crops

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