Recent rains across many parts of the country will encourage the planting of winter oilseed rape (OSR) crops.

A combination of strong plant protein prices and the continuing availability of rape varieties with enhanced production potential has boosted grower interest in this valuable break crop.

But there is one potential pitfall, which rape growers must avoid: the risk posed by the fungal disease, Club Root.

Successful establishment is critical to the success of all OSR crops. In essence, this centres on the establishment of a deep tap root.

This is essential in allowing crops to withstand the worst excesses of pigeon grazing, and the impact of dry conditions during rape’s most important growth phases in the spring and summer months.

OSR crops should be planted at a rate of 50 seeds per square metre at a depth of two to three centimetres.

The preparation of a fine seed bed is critically important.

The application of organic manures during seed bed preparation will help to boost autumn growth.

Alternatively, a 10:10: 20 compound can be applied, prior to drilling.

There are four varieties featured in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s (DAFM) 2027 winter oilseed rape recommended list.

Ambassador is a good yielding variety with good early vigour. It has very good lodging resistance and good stem stiffness.

It is late to flower and is early maturing. The variety has moderate light leaf spot resistance.

Aurelia is another good yielding variety with good early vigour. It has very good lodging resistance and good stem stiffness.

The variety is late to flower and is early to mature. Aurelia has good light leaf spot resistance.

LG Aviron is a high yielding variety with good early vigour. It has very good lodging resistance with good stem stiffness.

The variety is late to flower and is very resistant to light leaf spot.

Good yielding

LG Auckland is a good yielding variety with good early vigour. It has very good lodging resistance with good stem stiffness.

Auckland is a moderately late flowering variety and is very resistant to light leaf spot.

Meanwhile, LG Armada has been provisionally recommended for 2027. It is a high yielding variety with good early vigour.

Armada has very good lodging resistance with good stem stiffness. It is late to flower and is very resistant to light leaf spot.

Seedtech is indicating that winter OSR crops yielding 2t/ac in 2027 will deliver a gross margin in excess of €400/ac on owned land.