Quinns of Baltinglass is offering its growers a set price for winter oilseed rape as the sowing season commences for the 2021 crop.

The offer is applicable to harvest 2021 and farmers who avail of it will sign up to a green price of €360/t (at 9% moisture) when delivered to any Quinns intake.

While the offer gives farmers a chance to lock into a guaranteed price next harvest planting oilseed rape in a rotation can also benefit following crops.

A crop of oilseed rape being harvested for Quinns this season. Image source: Quinns of Baltinglass

David Shortall of Quinns commented on the crop’s performance this season.

“With yields varying from 1.8t/ac up to 2.2t/ac, at 9-10% moisture, oilseed rape will most likely be the most profitable crop this harvest and that is without accounting for a yield increase of up 0.5t/ac in the following wheat or barley crop,” he stated.

“At this stage of the harvest we are seeing consistently higher yields from growers who are growing break crops in rotation on land with higher levels of organic matter.

In some ways we have to go back to basics and having a good rotation is still a hugely important factor in long-term yield and success on tillage farms.

David also commented on how a break crop can divide out work during the season.

“Tillage farmers who are growing oilseed rape now have a good chunk of their harvest finished and the soil is in super condition ahead of a first-wheat crop.

“Growing oilseed rape not only increases your average on-farm wheat or barley yield over a number of years, but it also reduces the risk in years of poor weather or lower grain prices due to higher global grain supply.”

Growers interested in availing of the offer should contact their local adviser or branch. Quinns also has a number of varieties available with resistance to Turnip Yellow Virus (TYV) – similar to BYDV in barley.

Liquid nitrogen being applied to oilseed rape this season. Image source: Quinns of Baltinglass

Establishment advice

David also offered growers some advice to growers, noting that conventional varieties should be planted before August 25, while hybrids can be sown anytime up to mid-September once growing conditions are suitable.

Growers worried about brassica weeds can consider using Clearfield varieties. Phosphorus and potassium should be applied at sowing, while a pre-emergence herbicide is also needed quickly after sowing (non-Clearfield varieties).

Slug pellets will be required at establishment and where the autumn is mild and crops are performing well a low rate of fungicide may be needed for Phoma and light leaf spot control.