Yorkshire farmer Guy Shelby reports that his hybrid rape variety Compass has out performed Excalibur “by quite a bit” , yielding 5.2 t/ha this year.
This is the first year we have grown Compass and we am very happy with it, so much so that we have ordered more seed for this years drilling, which is scheduled to start at the end of August, says Guy.
Farming in Yorkshire in partnership with his father, Guy Selby explains that oilseed rape is grown in a 1 in 4 or 1 in 5 rotation, usually after winter barley or winter wheat. “We have introduced establishing the crop using a sub soiler to a depth of 8 inches followed by a Techneat seeder and roller this year and yields have definitely improved. We used to plough and drill but this is expensive and time consuming. This new establishment technique, provided by NRH Engineering in Seaton Ross, is much more simple and cost-effective - a no frills approach - and it seems to suits us.”
“This year we have grown three rape varieties Excalibur, Sesame and Compass – all have done well but the Compass grew particularly well, even with a very low seed rate, and greened up better than the others. Another thing I noticed was the size of the pods in the Compass and this has been reflected in its top yield on the farm, says Guy.
Added to the HGCA List North Region in 2010/2011, Compass is now one of the top varieties grown in the North and Scotland. It has an impressive gross output of 108% and a high oil content of 46.3%. It also has an 8 rating for resistance to lodging, stem stiffness and a 7 for autumn vigour.