Hybrids of winter and spring oilseed rape are available and bring a lot of agronomic and economic benefits to the farmers in oilseed rape growing areas.
1. Global market trends for plant oils
The increase in global consumption of plant oils both for food and non-food use is obviously significant. The overall consumption in 2007 was higher than the production level. So the stocks will be reduced and the prices remain high.
Cereal stocks are also on a historical low level and competition between cereals and oil crops will further push the prices for oil crops.
As a consequence the prices for oilseed rape will remain high in future and the profitability will place the crop among cash crops of tomorrow.
2. Quality breeding
In the 1970´s the first low erucic acid winter oilseed rape was introduced to the market by NPZ-Lembke. In the late 1980´s the first double low winter oilseed rape varieties were successfully introduced and increased the possibilities for rape meal to be used in the feed market.
Since the introduction of the first fully restored winter oilseed rape hybrid varieties by NPZ-lembke in 1996, hybrids are general have created an important market in Europe.
3. Research and development
Today breeding new innovative varieties without further research will not turn out successful. Research projects of SAATEN-UNION breeders cover all the different aspects of yield, quality, restistances, genetic resources, hybrid breeding and technology. The traditional targets of breeding yield, quality and yield safety are still valid. The new technology will result in better identification of germplasm and more efficient selection of best performing variety types.
Higher oil content, optimized disease resistance, best possible adaption to soil and agroclimatic conditions and growing cycles will be among the most important future targets.
4. Variety adaption to agroclimatic conditions
The rising demand for plant oils in the world, the high value of rape oil and the benefits of a sustainable crop rotation has paved the way for oilseed rape in continental and marginal growing regions.
The basic challenge in these enviroments is the establishment of a healthy, well development crop before winter with mostly lack of water and nurtients. Before winter all the effort should be focused on best possible root development which creates the base for high yield potential.
The oilseed rape breeders of SAATEN-UNION, NPZ-Lempke and Raps GbR, have invested over a long period of time to provice specific variety types for various regions with different agroclimatic conditions.
5. Oilseed rape hybrids
Hybrids of winter and spring oilseed rape are available and bring a lot of agronomic and economic benefits to the farmers in oilseed rape growing areas. The vitality of hybrids under harsh conditions like suboptimal seedbed preparation, strong, long and cold winters as well as drought stress has been already proven and built up their widely known reputation.
NPZ-Lembke and Raps GbR provide the market with top-performing hybrids and their breeding continues on a high level in order to further increase their hybrid varieties perfomance.
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