Practical OSR Strategy from World Record Holder Tim Lamyman
For many farmers, Tim Lamyman’s name is synonymous with high-yielding crops and world records. But beneath the headlines lies a clear, replicable strategy that delivers not just impressive results, but strong gross margins across the whole farm.
Since 1997, Tim has been growing oilseed rape as a break crop, and it’s become a cornerstone of the rotation on his Lincolnshire farm. His world record yield of 7.1 t/ha might grab the attention, but it’s his average farm yield of 5.4 t/ha, paired with a gross margin of £1,630/ha, that tells the real story.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that record yields only come with unrealistic input levels,” Tim says. “But if you look at our figures, they tell a very different story.”
Rethinking Establishment to Beat CSFB
One of the most pressing challenges for OSR growers today is cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB). Years of pressure have driven many out of the crop altogether, but Tim believes smart establishment can tilt the odds back in farmers’ favour.
For him, it starts with timing. “We never drill before the 10th of September. You might lose a bit of daylight, but you avoid the early hatch and multiple beetle cycles. That’s critical. Drill too early and you’re exposing every plant to more egg-laying and stem damage.”
Instead, Tim targets a narrow but deliberate window - 10th to 25th September - timed to outsmart the pest and optimise plant development. “That window allows the plant to set its yield potential, avoid peak beetle activity, and build resilience before winter.”
Autumn Vigour is Non-Negotiable
Variety choice is the next pillar of Tim’s approach. “You can’t afford a slow starter. We’ve gone with Avenger for its autumn vigour. It’s quick to establish, fills out early, and gives the crop a strong platform. I’ve already booked it again for next year.”
In an era where input costs and crop risks are both high, variety performance isn’t just a technical detail, it’s a major business decision.
Nutrition: Cheaper, Smarter, Greener
While many growers rely on traditional methods, typically DAP and 30 kg/ha of nitrogen at drilling, Tim saw an opportunity to shake things up.
“We tested a different approach with Bionature,” he says. “Instead of front-loading everything at drilling, we applied Leodita and Delta at the 2–4 cotyledon stage, then followed up with TipTop Delta two weeks later.”
The results? Remarkable. “We got 40–75% more biomass in the first six weeks compared to DAP plus autumn nitrogen,” Tim reports. “That’s enough to match or beat a crop drilled three weeks earlier in terms of canopy and resilience.”
The approach also wins on cost and sustainability. The total nitrogen applied through the Bionature system was just 1.5 kg/ha, making it more environmentally friendly and far cheaper.
“This isn’t about overfeeding the crop,” Tim adds. “It’s about unlocking early growth at the right moment. The crop doesn’t need much, it just needs help getting going fast.”
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that record yields only come with unrealistic input levels, but if you look at our figures, they tell a very different story.”
Gross Margins Tell the Story
The real impact of Tim’s establishment and nutrition programme is clear when you look at the numbers:
7.1 t/ha × £450/t = £3,195
Costs: £900/ha →
Gross margin: £2,295/ha
5.4 t/ha × £450/t = £2,430
Costs: £800/ha →
Gross margin: £1,630/ha
4.5 t/ha = £2,025
Costs: £900/ha →
Gross margin: £1,125/ha
3.5 t/ha = £1,575
Costs: £600/ha →
Gross margin: £975/ha
“It’s not just about yield, it’s margin that matters. And if you’re not setting the crop up properly in the first six weeks, you’re leaving money in the field.”
The YEN Effect
Tim’s involvement in the Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) has also shaped his thinking. “YEN gives you a scientific lens on your crop,” he says. “You learn what’s limiting yield, whether it’s rooting, nutrition, or sunlight capture.”
He credits YEN with helping increase his farm average by over a tonne per hectare. “It’s not just for chasing records. It’s about understanding what’s holding you back and where you can improve.”
Tim first entered YEN in 2014 with a wheat crop to validate a UK record he’d set the year before. When he realised two OSR fields on the farm had also beaten the then world record, it became the launch point for a new challenge: establishing a benchmark for OSR globally.
“I wanted to prove what the crop was capable of,” he says. “But just as importantly, I wanted to use the process to keep learning.”
Measured Ambition, Repeatable Success
Tim currently grows 100–120 ha of OSR each year depending on rotation. The goal, he says, is not to break records annually, but to consistently produce profitable, high-performing crops without overstretching inputs.
“Every field can’t be a showpiece,” he admits. “But every field can be set up for success. If you respect the crop’s biology, time your drilling, pick the right variety, and give it a nutritional boost early, you can grow OSR well.”
In a landscape where some growers have lost confidence in OSR, Tim remains a vocal advocate for its place in arable systems.
“You’ve got to be bold,” he says. “But bold doesn’t mean reckless. It means making smart, timely decisions, especially in those first few weeks. That’s when the battle is won or lost.”
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