The yields from the first five HGCA Recommended List oilseed rape trials are shown in this week’s harvest results. These yields have been adjusted for oil content and are represented as a percentage of the control varieties, Excalibur, Vision, PR46W21 and DK Cabernet.

These yields average a respectable 5.65 t/ha in 2014 which compares favourably to the four year average figure of 5.39 t/ha. The site at Wardington, Oxfordshire has performed exceptionally well with an average yield of 6.8 t/ha.

Of the current HGCA Recommended List varieties, the restored hybrid variety Incentive is performing well with a gross output of 109% and the conventional open pollinated variety Charger has a gross output of 107%. The restored hybrid Harper is also performing well at 105%. These three varieties were all added to the list last year.

Looking at the candidate varieties, the High Oleic Low Linolenic (HOLL) variety V316 OL has taken the early lead with an impressive gross output of 116% performing well at all five sites. The candidate variety Campus is also performing well at 112%.

Although the 2014 yields are of interest to understand how well this harvest is going, the four year average figures provide the best guide to understand varietal performance over several seasons.

Click here to see results.