OILSEED rape growers should start thinking now about moving to a twin variety strategy for their autumn rotation.

Beckii Gibbs, seed manager for United Oilseeds, said it could minimise the risk of yield losses due to unpredictable weather and spread the harvest workload.

She believes growers who only grow one variety take an unnecessary gamble with yields by not spreading the risk accordingly.

Ms Gibbs said: “The past two summers have shown that weather patterns in the UK are getting less predictable to forecast.

“Wet weather has delayed harvesting and subsequent plantings for two successive years and in some parts of the UK that has resulted in below par establishment and lower than expected final yields.

“It may seem early in the year to be considering next autumn’s rotation, but farmers should start thinking now about adopting a sowing strategy that minimises the risks associated with unfavourable weather conditions.

“By choosing to grow two or more varieties growers can mitigate these effects by spreading their bets.”

However she said growers must select varieties that are compatible – one that is suitable for sowing early in the drilling window and one that can be sown later.