Clearfield OSR

[radar]

Going to give OSR another chance this year but on a much reduced acreage. Planned field has historically been bad with charlock and agro suggests I should consider a Clearfield variety.Have no experience of this but reading about it, it seems to be a rapid established low seed rate variety. In view of the CSFB problem, is this likely to be an issue, or should I just stick with a conventional variety and hope the CSFB find the charlock tastier than the rape Any other comments welcome too, seed costs etc TIA

 

[Hesstondriver]

if you can use 'bifenox' and we get a cold winter the charlock should take a big hit and not be a problem in the spring

 

[radar]

if you can use 'bifenox' and we get a cold winter the charlock should take a big hit and not be a problem in the spring

Done that in the 2 previous rotations - last time worked well, time before not and had to dump about 5 acres of rape because of the amount of charlock seed in the tank. Did burn well though!!

 

[matttargett4]

Been growing clearfield, it's great for weed control.

Also been doing sums on osr and despite working well it's so expensive if I grow osr this yr it wont be clear field, have worked into a situation with it where I'm unlikely to make any money, land often yields 1.25t/ac and that wont make money using clearfield even with the low fixed cost structures which are talked about on here so much.

 

[masseybreaker]

not done it but would it work mixing home saved seed with clearfield then burn the home saved seed off in october ? to hopefully confuse those pesky fleas. it would be a bugger if they ate all the clearfield though !!!

 

[Brisel]

not done it but would it work mixing home saved seed with clearfield then burn the home saved seed off in october ? to hopefully confuse those pesky fleas. it would be a bugger if they ate all the clearfield though !!!

A mate of mine grows Clearfield & is doing just that. Whilst this will mean more eggs laid hopefully the net burden per surviving plant should be less.

 

[Barry]

Going to give OSR another chance this year but on a much reduced acreage. Planned field has historically been bad with charlock and agro suggests I should consider a Clearfield variety.Have no experience of this but reading about it, it seems to be a rapid established low seed rate variety. In view of the CSFB problem, is this likely to be an issue, or should I just stick with a conventional variety and hope the CSFB find the charlock tastier than the rape Any other comments welcome too, seed costs etc TIA

The Clearfield varieties vary in vigour the same as other varieties but as they are hybrids they are generally not too bad and most on the good to very good side. Cost wise they are a bit more expensive than standard hybrids, I would guess £15-20 per pack (1.5M seeds). From the sound of it with your Charlock problem it might be a sensible choice.

 

[David.]

How are the available Clearfield herbicides on hedge mustard?

 

[Brisel]

How are the available Clearfield herbicides on hedge mustard?

Ok if you get them while fairly small.