Harvest Hightlights: Oilseed rape yields disappointing

Reports today (July 21) indicate farmers were generally disappointed with oilseed rape yields in the south and east. Moisture levels in harvested crops were generally very low, with yields appearing to be held back by the dry end to the season. Downham Market farmer Nick Pratt said oilseed rape yields were “struggling", having begun cutting on July 19. Winner yielded 3.25t/ha and a small amount of Kalif yielded 3.35t/ha. Moisture levels varied between 5.5% and 9.1% where it had not been desiccated. Ashford grower Martin Boulden said oilseed rape yields were up to 0.6t/ha down on last year. Lioness was yielding 3.3t/ha, while Excalibur and Caracas were at 2.5 – 3.1t/ha. “The yields are not very exciting." Yields of oilseed rape were a “terrible" 2.5t/ha for Paul Christian in Hertfordshire.

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