Spring Oilseed Rape

[Gong Farmer]

If anyone's concerned about the pollen beetle, be aware that, unlike on the winter crop, they invade the plant at the late rosette stage (pre-stem extension) to get at developing pollen in developing flowers, so well before flowering. Insecticides will still kill them there but starting that early commits to several sprays during the next few weeks.

 

[Flat 10]

If anyone's concerned about the pollen beetle, be aware that, unlike on the winter crop, they invade the plant at the late rosette stage (pre-stem extension) to get at developing pollen in developing flowers, so well before flowering. Insecticides will still kill them there but starting that early commits to several sprays during the next few weeks.

But biscaya only? Resistant to others?

 

[Brisel]

We've only got Biscaya for another couple of years

 

[Flat 10]

We've only got Biscaya for another couple of years

And so we should if they are banning neonics on beet seed

 

[Gong Farmer]

But biscaya only? Resistant to others?

Sorry, I shouldn't have suggested any possibility of control, just talking the biology.

 

[chaffcutter]

Waste of money even trying to grow it imo.

 

[Acke]

Try to directdrill SOSR with much straw with a low disturban drill. Works ok here. Also drill as erly you can for the frost.
My 2 cents

 

[Bruce Almighty]

Has anyone ever tried sowing Spring rape with a subsoiler ?
Spring crops around here are usually poor as they run out of moisture in April or May, I wondered if the moisture would come up the slot like it does in the Autumn ?

 

[Spencer]

We’ve grown sosr for a few years, best crops have always come from the firmest, finest seedbeds afraid.. think a rough subsoiled seedbed would just be a complete no no with the spring droughts and long day lengths at that time of year..

 

[Brisel]

You’d need to really press the seed into the soil and have a smooth surface or you’d lose too much soil moisture.

 

[Bruce Almighty]

When we planted rape by subsoiler in dry Aug 18 we rolled it in with a Kidd flat roller, it was a bit slow but effective
Harvest 19 the crop averaged 1.75 t/ac over 135 acres in spite of the flea beetle problems of the previous Autumn

This Autumn's rape (70 acres) was also reasonably well established, whether it survives having constantly wet feet is a different matter ?

Previous experience with late Spring sown game cover crops has shown that my cousin's Mzuri drill has been better than conventionally ploughing & cultivating (less moisture loss) which is why I wondered if the subsoiler method might work

 

[Cowcorn]

In my experience spring rape needs to go into a very fine firm seedbed. I usually prepare the seedbed and roll it before the combi. Drill when rain is forecast to ensure a fast even emergence. Put most of the fert in the seedbed . It can do very well or it can be a disaster all depends on how it gets away , so skimping on seedbed prepartion can be a false economy.