Opportunity Knocks For OSR Harvesting Savings

Cambridge (June 27, 2003) - Oilseed rape growers across the country should take advantage of the unique opportunity this season provides for major harvesting time and cost savings, suggests OSR technical specialist, Clive Sutton of PBIC Seeds.

"The very dry spring has meant crops are typically at least a foot shorter and less bulky than normal," he explained. "Which means that even the higher biomass types that normally require so much care and attention at harvesting are good candidates for direct combining.

With harvesting costing up to 25% of the value of the crop and representing one of its biggest single costs in many cases, Clive Sutton calculates growers can save around £25/ha by desiccating and combining direct instead of swathing.

In addition to this, he points to harvesting studies with Claas UK showing greater combining efficiency and very much higher harvesting speeds from direct-cutting low biomass Canberra crops. Indeed, these indicate growers may be able to as much as halve their OSR harvesting time, freeing-up extra space in their busy autumn schedules for early cultivations, amongst other things.

"Canberra growers already appreciate the value of direct harvesting," Clive Sutton stressed. "The same opportunity to save time and money by doing so is, unusually, available to many growers of higher biomass varieties this season.

"But just like swathing, desiccation and direct harvesting must be well-planned and managed to maximise their effectiveness and value."

For greatest direct harvesting value, Clive Sutton advises OSR growers to follow three simple rules. Use glyphosate in preference to diquat to minimise pod shatter and improve timing flexibility. Desiccate with Roundup once at least two thirds of seeds in the middle pods on the main stem have turned brown - corresponding to a 30% seed moisture content. And don't combine until the crop is ready - up to 21 days after spraying, depending on the glyphosate formulation used and the weather conditions.

"We have produced simple Roundup Gold guide cards to desiccation timing to help those considering combining direct this year," he said. "If you want to take full advantage of this season's direct OSR harvesting opportunity it would be well worth getting hold of a copy by calling our technical hotline on 01223 849540."