EVENT: Exploring the future potential of OSR on UK farms

3 Apr 2012

Oilseed rape growers and advisors 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 ‘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
    Rachel Wells, Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre
  • Vistive; high oleic, low linolenic – growing oilseed for a specific market
    Andrew Smooker, OSR technical sales specialist, Monsanto
  • Key tools available to the modern rape grower
    Claire Tucker, Agronomy Manager, BASF
  • Oilseed rape; the grain buyers view
    Philip Kimber, Head of UK Rapeseed Trading, Frontier

The NIAB Innovation Farm ‘Producing Quality Rapeseed’ is on Thursday 26th April from 10.00-16.00 at NIAB, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0LE. To register for the event contact Claire Pumfrey on 01223 342482 or claire.pumfrey [at] niab.com, or go to www.innovationfarm.co.uk to book a place. Event costs £36 (including VAT).

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