Winter oilseed rape
Growing the crop & wildlife conservation
Sown:
We sow in August
Fertiliser:
We apply potassium, phosphate and sulphur in the spring and nitrogen in the autumn and spring
Weed control:
One herbicide in August and sometimes a second in the autumn
Insect pest & control:
Flea beetles are controlled by a seed dressing. We sometimes need to control pollen beetles with an insecticide in the spring
Disease control:
A seed dressing and one fungicide in the autumn
Threats to the crop:
- Grazing by rabbits and pigeons are major threats
- Drought can be a problem on our sandy soils
- Severe rainfall or hail at or near harvest is a threat, though rarely has an impact
What helps:
- Warm weather after sowing helps the crop get established
- A warm spring gets the crop growing early
- Late spring and summer rain helps increase yield
- We try to keep pigeons off using kites, gas guns and shooting
Wildlife conservation:
Harvest & what the crop is used for
Harvest:
We harvest with a combine, usually in late July
Caring for the crop:
The crop goes into our grain store where it is dried and cooled. This prevents the build up of fungi and insects in the stored grain
What it is used for:
The main product is vegetable oil which is used in food production, as cooking oil and in biodiesel production
By-products:
The crushed seeds left after the oil has been extracted, called ‘meal’, is used as livestock feed
