Six Oilseed Rape Establishment Sites Announced

The agronomy and crop protection specialist Agrovista UK Limited has announced the setting up of 6 Oilseed Rape trials sites across the UK, in addition to Agrovista’s existing trials programme, Growers Choice Insite. These sites will be part of a national grower discussion network hosted by Agrovista and gaining valuable field data from these local demonstration sites.

These sites will look at the impact of different establishment techniques in conjunction with Simba and Vaderstad, together with a range of varieties and inputs. At least 3 meetings and visits will be held at each site over the season involving eminent experts on various aspects of the oilseed rape crop.

Different establishment techniques will be used, along with a number of leading varieties and encompassing conventional, hybrid and semi dwarf oilseed rape varieties. Across the plots will be a range of existing and new fungicide and input programmes

James MacWilliam, who is coordinating the sites, says "Oilseed rape is an important crop in many arable rotations, with the potential to produce the best gross margin of all combinable break crops. However in spite of new developments in breeding, nutrition and agronomy, yields often disappoint both growers and advisors. It is important for growers and advisors that establishment and holistic programmes are better understood to develop yields."

To gain a better understanding of crop potential, the first of these discussions will be in November with Dr Peter Gladders to discuss the latest findings on foliar disease and pathogens.

The sites are based around the country as follows.

Newcastle - Cockle Park,

York - Askham Bryan,

Shropshire - Harper Adams,

Norfolk - Easton College,

Berkshire, Reading University Farm,

Kent, Isle of Sheppey.