Growers urged to test OSR before farm saving

Penalties

The presence of high erucic acid levels in double zero varieties continues to cause problems for growers and crushers of oilseed rape. There are a number of possible reasons for this including previously having grown HEAR, weed contamination and possible links to levels in seed. While it is not a safety concern for most consumers, oilseed rape contracts stipulate a maximum of two per cent erucic acid and, currently, loads are rejected over five per cent, with those between two per cent and five per cent incurring price penalties.

There also remains an imminent threat that the European Commission may tighten up food standard to a maximum two per cent, so it is important that farmers and seed processors get this problem under control and it is acknowledged that not testing seed batches prior to farm saving may exacerbate the problem.

All crop tested

In 2018 NAAC mobile seed processors encouraged growers to test oilseed rape before saving, with some achieving a 100 per cent level of erucic acid testing. This voluntary testing scheme is to be extended into 2019, aiming to get all seed tested before farm saving to help growers tackle and stamp out the problem.

Guidance

The NAAC has also published guidance on farm saving oil seed rape, in partnership with the NFU, which is available at www.naac.co.uk/industry-information. The guidance highlights further the importance of testing and advises growers on growing, managing and testing seed prior to farm saving.

Robert White, NAAC mobile seed vice-chairman said: “Mobile seed processors see themselves as part of the solution to this problem - helping their customers make well informed business decisions. Our growers will not thank us if we don’t highlight any potential issues at an early stage. It might cost us a contract or two but we must take a long term view that what is good for our customers will ultimately be better for us.”

Testing for erucic acid is now common and usually costs around £50-£60 per test and results are back within a week. Mobile seed processors will be able to offer and organise the testing service so that growers can make an educated decision from a position of knowledge. Farm saving oil seed rape is still a very cost-effective method of getting quality seed in the ground and testing for erucic acid should be viewed as a positive way of ensuring good crop management.