Why change your rape variety if you’re happy
A leading farmer in Suffolk has been growing the low biomass oilseed rape variety Astrid since 2005 and sees no good reason not to continue growing it, as always gives a good return.
A client of Agrivice and farming near Halesworth in Suffolk is growing 142 acres of Astrid winter oilseed rape this year, as well as Castille and DK Cabernet. "The Astrid is looking particularly good at the moment, but we have always got on well with this variety. It has always yielded well and given us good returns. In fact the best yield of Astrid we have had was 5.62 t/ha (2.25 t/acre), which was excellent."
His rotation is either a one in three of wheat, wheat and oilseed rape or a broader rotation of rape one in four or five. Last year the rape was drilled following flat lifting and pressing ahead of the drill. "We used to plough but it is an expensive operation."
"With operating costs in mind, we have has stuck with Astrid as it is an easy and hence less costly variety to manage. It is much quicker to combine and harvest than some other bulkier rape varieties."
Neil Groom of Grainseed adds that Astrid was added to the HGCA recommended List five years ago and it is still one of the most popular and most widely grown rape varieties. "Its longevity in the market is down to its consistency of performance, as well as its ease of management."
"With Astrid it will yield every year. It still has one of the highest seed yields of 103% on the 2010/2011 HGCA Recommended List. It will yield also on a wide range of soil types across the country. Being a low biomass rape variety which stands well, Astrid is easy to manage and to harvest. In a world of inconsistency, you can be certain of Astrid and it is this certainty that persuades growers to continue growing it year after year. As combine start harvest we have seen an upsurge in demand because as Astrid performs where it matters" says Neil.
For further comment and information on the oilseed rape variety Es Astrid or other Grainseed varieties such as Es Alienor, please contact Neil Groom, Technical Manager Grainseed Ltd on 01379 871073 or 07774 720240.
