Farming News - How late is too late to drill your oilseed rape this year?
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How late is too late to drill your oilseed rape this year?
It is true that, given the season, many oilseed rape growers will have drilled in August or even earlier in late July this year. But it is also true that others will be holding back having noted that later drilling into September has its advantages.
In some situations, sowing dates can go right up to the end of September, and growers may well be thinking "how late is too late", and what temperature does a vigorous hybrid variety need for successful establishment before winter?
Michel Shuldham of NPZ UK explains that, "there are a number of provisos for successful late drilling. Most important is to say it is advisable only for hybrid varieties with their vigorous development. And as late sown oilseed rape crops are more at risk to phoma, a good phoma rating is important.
"As part of our trials into late drilling, we have analysed daily temperatures at our headquarters in Impington, close to Cambridge, over two autumns.
"If we want to reach the 8-leaf stage with a robust plant based on 8mm root neck diameter and a tap root of more than 8 cm before winter, we have to accumulate 150°C for germination and around 120-150°C per leaf pair.
"Between the beginning of September and end of November in the two autumns we analysed, we received 1,131°C and 1,163°C. That is more than enough for sufficient development of the crop.
"Calculating both figures together, we need minimum 800°C for a sufficient development before winter, and based on the temperature data from Impington, we can still reach that stage.
"Varieties such as our hybrids Maverick and Murray, with their vigorous growth habit and exceptional RlmS Phoma resistance, are good examples of varieties that should be suited to late drilling while, as always, taking into account farm location and modifying key factors such as the sowing rate."
"In summary, it is certainly worthwhile considering late sowing if your temperature data is comparable with ours from Impington. And with many growers having their own weather station – such as the Sencrop – you can look at your own historic information as well as our data to make an informed decision," adds Mr Shuldham.