June 9, 2009
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Winter oilseed rape growers can boost their income by as much as £70/ha, simply by choosing the right variety.
The combined yield and oil content benefit from the highest performing conventional winter oilseed rape variety in the east and west region, Vision, is worth between £38/ha and £70/ha over other conventional varieties, according to breeder Senova.
Furthermore, Vision also outperforms established hybrid choices, giving an additional £33/ha over Excalibur and £11/ha over Flash, reports the company.
Based on RL data of a seed yield of 4.4t/ha and an oil content of 43.9%, Vision has a £38.73/ha advantage over Castille, a £63.80/ha benefit over Es Astrid and outperforms NK Bravour by £69.92/ha, calculates Senova's commercial director Jeremy Taylor. "When you consider that both Castille and Es Astrid were among the top four varieties planted last autumn, it shows what an improvement Vision represents and why it is being heralded as a big step forward," he says.
In addition to its higher yield and oil content, Vision also offers the standing power and disease resistance required by professional growers, reports Mr Taylor. "It has an 8 for resistance to lodging and a 6 for stem canker," he says. "So, together with its medium-short height and extended pod fill, it brings together all the attributes that make a good oilseed rape variety, offering reliability and consistency."
Being a conventional type, seed costs for Vision are around £20/ha less than those of popular hybrids, he adds.
"Given the general increase in input costs and fall in commodity prices, growers are looking hard at expenditure this harvest," he comments.
"Hybrids didn't deliver in terms of establishment vigour last autumn; so many growers are questioning their place on the farm. A variety like Vision gives you the best of both worlds - yield performance to challenge the hybrids without sacrificing agronomic characteristics."
All calculations are based on a price of £250/t
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