The Department of Agriculture has three varieties on its oilseed rape recommended list (see Table 1) for autumn 2023.

However, it should be noted due to the small gap between harvest and sowing of winter oilseed rape, these lists tend to be somewhat behind on new varieties coming to the market, so there will be a number of varieties available which are not on this list.

The three varieties on the list are fully recommended and are DK Expansion, Ambassador and Aurelia.

DK Expansion and Aurelia are matching on relative seed yield at a score of 104 each, while Ambassador comes in at 102.

DK Expansion and Aurelia have an oil content score of 101 and Ambassador is at 100. All rate the same for early vigour, lodging resistance, stem stiffness, earliness of flowering and earliness of maturity.

Other varieties on display at recent open days include DK Expose, LG Aviron, Pioneer and many more. Check with your supplier to see what varieties are available.

Oilseed rape improvements

Oilseed rape genetics have improved massively in recent years. Farmers are now expecting to achieve over 2.2t/ac and more in some cases from oilseed rape.

Yields have improved, pod shatter resistance has taken some of the risk out and resistance to turnip yellows virus and phoma are all helping to make it a little bit easier to achieve higher yields.

Massive increase in area

Oilseed rape area has increased dramatically over the past two years. A good price for the crop has played a big role in this increase.

The winter oilseed rape area was at just over 10,000ha in 2021. It moved to nearly 14,500ha in 2022 and increased massively to about 20,500ha in 2023.