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October 2009 Diary

This year we have elected to grow three different varieties of oilseed rape: Flash, DK Cabernet and Excalibur. We are trying to spread our risks a little by opting not to put all our eggs in one basket. That way, if one of the varieties breaks down we will hopefully still be able to count on the other two.

All three varieties are being grown at 93 metres above sea level, but have been drilled into varying soil types. The Flash is on the very heaviest land we've got and as such it was sown as early as possible to avoid drilling into wet conditions. In hindsight, it has been so dry during September that it hasn't been adversely affected despite the six inches of rain we received in July and subsequent one inch in August.

The Flash was drilled into a one pass min-till seedbed in a heavy boulder clay on 19th August at a seeding rate of 2.5kg/ha. We are aiming to achieve a target plant establishment rate of 60 plants/m2 as we are expecting a high winter kill rate due to the soil type. Prior to drilling we applied 12t/ha of sewage sludge to top up nutrient levels in the seed bed and have since applied a pre-emergence herbicide (Springbok - applied on 23rd August) with glyphosate to take out any surface greenery. Since then, the crop has been treated with Zealot to take out any volunteer barley and a dose of manganese sulphate - both applied on 5th September.

The DK Cabernet was drilled into heavy-ish ground on 24th August and went in after a very wet barley harvest. Because the ground was so badly rutted we had to revert to the plough and leave the ground to dry out for five days. It was then worked with a Top-Tilth and disc-drilled using a Vaderstad machine. This land was also given 12t/ha of sewage sludge and was drilled at a rate of 2.86 kg/ha to achieve a similar plant establishment rate as the Flash. As we are in a predominantly livestock area, we also used some pig muck at very little expense. Since it was drilled, the DK Cabernet has had a spray of Novall (27th August) at 2 litres/ha and a Zealot graminicide (15th September).

The Excalibur is also on heavy ground and was drilled using the same technique at the DK Cabernet. This crop went in on 23rd August at 3.0 kg/ha. Again, we are trying to establish 60 plants/m2. Both these crops are in ground that gets very wet and cold during the winter but which will still produce a good yield if you get it right. And just like the DK Cabernet, the Excalibur has been treated with a Novall herbicide (27th August) and a Zealot graminicide (15th September).

Overall, all three crops are performing fairly consistently. The Flash has done well to find moisture during an exceptionally dry month and has grown away from what was a fairly adverse seedbed. The Excalibur and DK Cabernet have also managed to find enough water and are looking equally as impressive as the Flash.

It looks as though the current dry spell may soon come to an end and it will be back to the normal wet conditions that characterise this part of North Shropshire. With everything from blowing sands to boulder clay to manage, it'll be another busy year with plenty of conundrums to keep us all guessing!

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