4.9.19
For four years the conventional oilseed rape variety Campus has beaten all others on James Dunlop’s Cambridgeshire farm.
“Campus is simply the most consistent variety we have seen since DK Cabernet; it has been our best-performing variety since we began growing it in 2015 and has shown greater vigour than other conventional types we have tried,” says Mr Dunlop of Grange Farm near Wittering, south of Stamford.
Across the farm’s light brash land which can be prone to the effects of drought Mr Dunlop likes to grow at least two varieties of oilseed rape. This partly to spread the risk, but also to ensure he is always growing the variety that best suits his farm situation. For the 2020 harvest, Campus will be tested against two new varieties, Aspire and Aardvark after discussion with his independent seed merchant Doug Balderson.
For harvest 2020 he plans to harvest nearly 40 ha of Blazen across two holdings. “OEP as a scheme fits well with contract farming arrangements while the performance of the variety over the past two years gives me the confidence that it will meet our expectations,” he adds.
