The quality, as well as the quantity, of the UK oilseed rape harvest has been put under the spotlight thanks to the wet weather which has delayed the harvest of the oilseed, besides grains too.

Early results of the UK rapeseed harvest- which is roughly 20% complete, compared with half in the silo normally by now – has shown "some small seed and low oils", besides highly variable yields, crop consultancy Adas said.

The finding was echoed by John Thorpe, head of oilseed rape at Openfield, the UK's biggest farm co-operative, said: "Of the early crop we have seen so far, it is fair to say that quality is not as good as last year with average yields in the region of 3.1-3.5 tonnes per hectare."

The UK is the European Union's third-ranked rapeseed grower, after France and Germany.

'Less oil'

Mr Thorpe told Agrimoney.com that, so far into harvest, "seeds have been smaller and containing less oil because of the wet growing conditions.

"Sunshine helps produce more oil, but we have not seen much of that."

However, he added that "when we reach around 50% of oilseed rape being harvested, we will have a much better idea of the quality", which could potentially have an impact on the level of rapeseed that the European Union needs to find elsewhere to meet its gap in supplies.

"Although there will be less oil per ton of oilseed rape, it will just mean more will have to be imported."

Openfield currently estimates EU 2012-13 rapeseed imports - the world's biggest - at "circa 3m tonnes", a figure in line with the US Department of Agriculture forecast of 3.2m tonnes.

Delayed start

According to the Adas report, the UK harvest of oilseed rape started about around seven-to-10 days later than normal.

"Most of the harvesting was in the South East, South West and Eastern region, with Yorkshire and Midlands only just starting and elsewhere yet to start in any significant way," the report stated.

Including other crops, the consultancy estimated that farmers combined 275,000 hectares in the first nine days of harvest, mainly focusing on winter barley and winter oilseed rape.

Although the southern and eastern regions were helped by last week's hot dry spell, remaining wet soil in the north and west of England have seen problems of soil damage and harvesting equipment.

Much of July in the UK saw above average rainfall, resulting in saturated fields. Last week saw a dramatic change in weather, with the week remaining hot and dry, allowing soils to dry and the first crops to be harvested.

Yield results

Commenting on oilseed rape yields, ADAS said early oilseed rape yields are highly variable ranging from 2.5-6 tonnes per hectare.

"The majority of crops are yielding less than last year, but given the last year saw UK average yields of 3.9 tonnes per hectare compared to a five year average of 3.4 tonnes per hectare, this is possibly an unfair comparison.

"At present the oilseed rape yields appear to be close to the five-year average of 3.4-3.6 tonnes per hectare," the report stated.

'Little impact'

Willie Wright, oilseeds trader at Gleadell, the UK grains and oilseeds merchant, added that he expected yields to be at a three-to-four year average and did not think there were quality concerns.

"You cannot compare year on year, especially as last year was a very exceptional year.

"Although the weather has not helped this year, there has, overall, been very little impact on the market," he commented.

In Paris, rapeseed futures for November delivery closed down 0.9% at E493.50 a tonne on Thursday.

• Lantmannen shuts feed line after GM rapemeal found
• 'Ample rainfall' boosts hopes for EU rapeseed crop
• Rains hurt both quality and quantity of UK wheat
• Agricultural Commodities
• Agricultural Markets
• Agricultural Companies
• Agricultural Events