OILSEED rape growers and advisers can explore the science behind the crop’s recent developments to better understand how they can improve on-farm production and crop marketing at this season’s first NIAB Innovation Farm workshop.

UK OSR farm yields have changed very little since the 1980s, despite steady advances in plant breeding and crop inputs.

But recent advances in technology has seen some significant steps forward, and plant scientists are working to develop the crop’s genetic potential and find solutions to agronomy problems that will enable growers to achieve higher yields.

The NIAB Innovation Farm event, entitled “Producing Quality Rapeseed”, will highlight key points at each stage of the crop’s development pipeline from pre-breeding research through to the field and beyond into the marketplace.

It includes an overview from BASF on innovations in canopy management, the “Clearfield” production system and how these influence the production of quality rapeseed. Presentations include:

: : Exploiting natural and induced genetic variation in rapeseed, with Rachel Wells, Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre;

: : Vistive; high oleic, low linolenic – growing oilseed for a specific market, with Andrew Smooker, OSR technical sales specialist, Monsanto;

: : Key tools available to the modern rape grower, Claire Tucker, Agronomy Manager, BASF; and

: : Oilseed rape; the grain buyers view, with Philip Kimber, Head of UK Rapeseed Trading, Frontier.

The NIAB Innovation Farm “Producing Quality Rapeseed” event is on Thursday, April 26 from 10am to 4pm at NIAB, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0LE.

To register for the event call Claire Pumfrey on 01223 342482 email claire.pumfrey@niab.com or visit www.innovationfarm.co.uk to book a place. Places cost costs �36, including VAT.