At least in some respects, anyway!

 

This time last year we were looking at potentially the biggest planting of OSR seed in UK history, now we are looking at many planning a return to rotations involving more winter barley and more spring cropping, and therefore a reduction in OSR plantings. (the grain price doesn’t help either!)Wheat will probably stand still.

 

I’m sure everyone recalls the terrible establishment conditions of 2012, and of course, the lodging that affected so many OSR crops – and so many OSR trials were abandoned -this year  we haven’t seen the lodging, but a large number of official trials have been lost (like fields), and this will have implications again for the recommended list, or at least for the data!

 

Variety choice is an interesting subject. I believe that DSV varieties are the best! Others may try to convince you they have something better to offer, therefore for all its faults, the recommended list remains the best source of independent information for varieties – everyone who’s trying to convince you to grow a variety has a reason to try to sell you what they want – the HGCA list at least gives a good average place to start!

 

This time round, establishment is going to be a lot better (crossed fingers) and with near perfect planting conditions crops should get away fine – at least, let’s hope so!