The UK's 2026 oilseed rape harvest is off to one of its earliest starts on record, with the prolonged summer heat bringing crops to maturity weeks ahead of normal.
United Oilseeds estimates the national crop will total between 1.1 and 1.2 million tonnes, a significant increase on last year and a major step towards rebuilding domestic production.
South of the Humber, around 80% of the crop has now been harvested, with combines only just beginning to roll in Yorkshire. Scotland is expected to get underway next week.
While oil contents are generally tracking slightly below last year's exceptionally high levels, yields have been consistently strong across much of England, with many growers reporting crops comfortably ahead of last year and well above the five-year average.
The early season has, however, created significant logistical challenges. Oilseed rape, winter barley and what is thought to be one of the earliest wheat harvests on record have all coincided, placing huge demand on haulage as crops have matured simultaneously rather than progressing gradually from south to north.
Growers are reporting encouraging results.
Simon Walker, of AA Broughton & Son in Somerset, has been harvesting Adapt and Academic and is pleased with how both have performed.
"We've been really pleased with the crop this year. Yields are around 4.7t/ha with oils at 46-47%, and the crop looked strong from start to finish. We spent very little on fungicides and didn't need to desiccate because everything ripened so evenly. We’re just now waiting a few extra days for the stems to lose their green colour on the remainder of our rape."
Further east on the Romney Marsh, Kent grower Alan Clifton says patience before harvest was worthwhile.
"Oilseed rape has been one of the pleasant surprises of harvest. We're averaging around 4.6t/ha and everything harvested really well. We held off for five days because the straw was still green, but once conditions were right the crop came off cleanly with no desiccation and around 8% moisture."
In Herefordshire, Harry Whittal has also been delighted with the outcome.
"We're averaging around 4.85t/ha, so it's been an excellent crop. It looked good throughout the season and we've also had an exceptional amount of straw, enough to fill our own sheds with surplus to sell. Overall, it's been a really pleasing harvest."
James Warner, Managing Director of United Oilseeds, said the harvest was another positive sign that confidence in oilseed rape is continuing to return.
"There's a real sense that oilseed rape is moving in the right direction again. Better establishment, lower pest pressure, favourable growing conditions and the willingness of growers to adopt new management approaches are all helping to rebuild confidence in the crop.
"This harvest shows what oilseed rape can deliver when those factors come together. It's encouraging to see more growers succeeding with the crop again, and while there's still work to do, the direction of travel is undoubtedly positive. For an industry that has invested heavily in research, knowledge exchange and practical on-farm innovation over recent years, it's rewarding to see that effort translating into successful crops in the field."
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