Don’t forget to use Spring Rape in 2021.

For most land, crops are already drilled, or decisions are made but where land is not committed, consider spring rape as an option.

Now the dynamics of commodity markets has flipped in the last 6 months. Where previously, we were talking about low prices for a few years with less demand due to the pandemic, traders are now scrambling to have products to meet orders.

This is helping farm prices rise and changing the relative crop margins. For most land, crops are already drilled, or decisions are made but where land is not committed, consider spring rape as an option.

As you can see from the table, standard rape yields will compare very favourably against spring feed barley (at current green forward prices). However, when you add in the rotational benefits, you really win with spring rape.

Tips for Sowing Spring Oilseed Rape

• pH needs to be 6.5 or greater for the best yields

• Apply fertiliser before sowing, especially if indices are low

• Drill 70-100 seeds/m2 of LUMEN into warming seedbeds.

• LUMEN has performed reliably in Ireland (1.0 - 1.6 t/ac are common yields of LUMEN).

• Don’t drill too deep (1-2 cm is sufficient) and roll after drilling.