Just ordered my seed today 50% hybrid and rest conventional. We are all hybrid at the moment apart from one field and that’s got a lot of charlock in it so can’t farm save. What made my mind up is soil got bit of moisture in it and forecast looks as though we might get rain. And also I’m not sure I will like going back to a variety without pod shatter risistance.
Hybrid rape am I mad?
- Thread starter tr250
- Start date
- Location
- Dorset/Wilts
I wouldn't say you were mad. Only you can really weigh up the probability of establishing a crop on your land and the level of risk you are willing to take.
What's your main rationale for having hybrid? Even if growing osr was foolproof, one cannot ignore the huge savings that can be made from fss.
Definitely the pod shatter resistance. I decicate with a conventional tractor and loose very little from going over it. Less header losses and I’m fairly relaxed knowing we could get thunder storms in the night. Csfb failure is looking extremely risky although I think I’ve got a fair few options being mixed as we have good fertility and the option to drill early and graze if it gets too proud
- Location
- Dorset/Wilts
Personally I think the pods are more resistant than we might be lead to believe. Do you apply pod sealant? I find separate passes of sealant and roundup reduces mechanical losses. You haven't got to lose very much at the header to have a carpet of volunteers.
No ive never applied a pod sealant as such to my own rape although I have done some for a neighbour. But I do use companion gold with the glyphosate which I believe is less of the same active ingredient. But that doesn’t help me as I’m doing it at the glyphosate time
I agree with @Zippy768 If you're using pod stick as an earlier pass with a lower clearance mounted or trailed sprayer that would be as good as a shatter resistant variety which would free you up to choose varieties based on other desirable criteria. Companion Gold is a sticker but not a pod stick as such. It's also very expensive and other cheaper options are available if you want pod stick, drift control, water conditioner and/or spray retention.
I don't grow hybrids any more bar some HEAR this year but they still have a lot going for them. I just want to establish osr as cheaply as possible while we have this threat of massive CSFB pressure hanging over us.
I don't grow hybrids any more bar some HEAR this year but they still have a lot going for them. I just want to establish osr as cheaply as possible while we have this threat of massive CSFB pressure hanging over us.