With the latest set of figures released by the AHDB on harvest 2025 we have a clear leader for oil content in OSR varieties to date. What better opportunity to take a delve into what this means for OSR bonuses this year.
As you’re most likely already aware, aside from the per-tonne price you receive for your OSR, there’s a set of bonuses that can really push that price a considerable distance. Namely oil, admix and moisture — and they could really make a difference to on-farm profit. Here we’ll focus primarily on oil content as this is the one that can bump the profit most!
Oil content
The biggest benefit is extra income. Many European crushers – including both in the UK – pay growers more for crops with higher oil content. The typical premium is 1.5% of the contract price for every 1% of oil above 40%.
Seed filling in OSR occurs over roughly six weeks, with most oil being laid down during the second half of this. Desiccating or swathing too early risks losing up to 2% a day in yield and compromising oil content. Alternatively, harvesting too late risks seed losses due to pod shatter. So it’s about finding a balance.
The important point about oil content is that it’s highly stable in genetic terms, meaning relative levels remain consistent – a high-oil variety will always deliver high oil, while a low-oil variety will always remain low. Selecting a high-oil variety is therefore a reliable way to help protect income.
Image: Figures from the latest AHDB Early Harvest results 2025
If we put this in context from the latest AHDB harvest update where Adapt is a clear leader in terms of oil content at 47.4%, there’s plenty of oil bonus to be had.
Based on a realistic price of £390 p/t you’d be looking at an oil bonus of £43.29. (390 x 1.5% = £5.85 x 7.4 = £43.29) If you start to factor in moisture and admix bonuses which based on the same price could add an additional £15 - £16 your final price starts to look very rewarding.
Moisture bonus
For moisture the bonus premium is 1% of the contract price for each percent under 9% down to 6% meaning a potential additional bonus of £11.70 per tonne. (£390 x 1% = £3.90 x 3 = £11.70).
Admix bonus
And finally, let’s say you have 0.5% admix the premium would provide an additional 1.5% of the contract value to each tonne. (£390 x 1% = £3.90 x 1.5 = £5.85).
Therefore in a good year, and with the right variety such as Adapt, your total bonuses per tonne for OSR could add an additional £60.84 or 15.6% meaning the final price per tonne finishing at £450.84.
With the right genetics and careful harvest management, OSR bonuses aren’t just nice extras – they can be the difference between average and outstanding returns. Make sure you’re getting your share.
Summary table
If the price were £400 p/t you’d receive £61.95 (£461.95)
If the price were £420 p/t you'd receive £64.17 (£484.17)
*Oil content figures correct at the time of writing and are based on the most recent AHDB harvest update information.