
With the combines put away early this summer, many oilseed rape (OSR) growers have been tempted to drill well ahead of the August Bank Holiday. But while the urge to “get going” is strong, the combination of dry soils, ongoing cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) pressure, and warming autumns means later sowing could offer the smarter route to strong establishment.
And when it comes to varieties that can make the most of a delayed start, LG Avenger stands out. In the latest AHDB early harvest results, Avenger topped the table for early vigour at 7.4, with both LG Adapt and Aurelia close behind on 7.3 – all three providing the strong early growth needed to get away quickly.
Why Later Can Work Better
In recent seasons, more farmers have moved their sowing dates back into mid September. Findings shared through the OSR Reboot initiative support this, noting that later sowing can help:
- Avoid peak late-August CSFB migration
- Match crop development to cooler conditions
- Prevent overly forward autumn growth that risks premature stem extension
Yorkshire’s Dawson Farms is one such example. Farm manager Rob Dawson reports better establishment and lower pest pressure since moving drilling dates back:
“We’re not chasing the calendar anymore. Waiting for the right conditions – especially moisture – has paid off. It’s keeping OSR in our rotation.”
Moisture Matters
This summer’s patchy rainfall has left many seedbeds powder-dry. Drilling OSR into dust is a gamble few can afford. Later sowing allows growers to wait until rain is in the forecast – essential for fast, even emergence.
Once moisture is secured, establishment methods that preserve it, such as shallow or direct drilling, become critical. Rolling after drilling (and, if possible, at right angles to the first pass) helps lock in moisture and improve seed-to-soil contact.
Vigour is Key
Later drilling demands a variety that can grow away fast – and that’s where Avenger’s market-leading vigour makes the difference.
Avenger is not only the highest-scoring variety for early vigour in AHDB’s 2025 harvest data, it’s also the first variety on the AHDB Recommended List to be recognised for CSFB resilience. This combination of traits has already delivered on the biggest stage: new world record OSR grower Tim Lamyman achieved his record yield with Avenger, selecting it specifically for its ability to establish strongly from later sowing.
Image: Figures from the AHDB Early Harvest Report for Early Vigour
On-Farm and In Practice
It’s not just record-breakers seeing the benefits. Dyson Farming are sowing Avenger again for 2025 after strong establishment and yield performance in their own late-drilled crops.
Companion cropping, stubble retention, and starter fertilisers are also being used by many growers to enhance establishment and help young plants withstand early pest pressure.
Late Doesn’t Mean Low Yield
With the right combination of variety vigour, moisture management, and pest-aware establishment, later-sown OSR can perform every bit as well as earlier crops – and sometimes better.
Scottish Borders grower and United Oilseeds director Colin McGregor has demonstrated this year that a later drilling window can deliver results, using Adapt – Avenger’s stablemate – which also boasts exceptional early vigour.
Farm Manager David Fuller, himself OSR Grower of the Year in 2022 comments:
“Last summer, we found ourselves with a block where swaths of straw got wet before baling which delayed our usual plans. We rolled the dice and drilled the hybrid variety LG Adapt on 13th September – well behind our usual 20–31 August slot. The alternative was a spring crop, which, in hindsight, would have been a disaster.”
As it turned out, Adapt delivered 5.66 t/ha over 39.73 ha, and with prices holding steady, David and Colin are absolutely delighted.
In summary:
If the rain hasn’t come yet, resist the urge to sow into bone-dry soil. The later window offers a tactical advantage – and with varieties like LG Avenger, LG Adapt, and Aurelia delivering outstanding vigour, you can drill with confidence and still set the crop up for success.
If you’re yet to order seed and are perhaps thinking of a later sowing you can order now for next-day delivery on many of the top-performing OSR varieties in the United Oilseeds portfolio. Once it’s with you the timing of your drilling is up to you.
To get all of the latest industry backed tips for growing OSR take a look at the NEW AHDB/OSR Reboot guidelines below:
https://www.unitedoilseeds.co.uk/osr-reboot/10-shared-strategies-for-osr-success