Good for the climate

In terms of oilseed rape cultivation worldwide, the European Union is almost on a par with the leader Canada: They each grow it on an area of around nine million hectares, a figure that puts them ahead of India and China. However, there is an aspect that sets the EU apart from other regions: Outside Europe, summer oilseed rape is predominately grown, while winter oilseed rape is clearly preferred in Europe. “That has to do with the climatic conditions in the cultivation regions,” explains Marketing Project Manager Christiane von der Ohe. “In Canada, for example, the winters are too cold – winter oilseed rape would freeze there.”

Andreas Krull, Product Manager Winter Oilseed Rape, cites another reason for the crop’s popularity in Europe: “As a leaf crop, oilseed rape is a very valuable link in the crop rotation, especially in regions where there is strong winter cereal cultivation.” As a result, oilseed rape can break up the rotation cycle.

Advantages in times of climate change

A special feature is also the advantageous root system, which can better exploit nutrients and water in the soil thanks to its deep and strong taproot, which is an advantage in times of climate change – and not the only one: “Our oilseed rape varieties with the InsectPROTECT trait help control the cabbage stem flea beetle and are interesting in the long term because the EU’s Green Deal on climate protection calls for a significant reduction in pesticide usage,” says Andreas Krull. Nevertheless, the same applies to winter oilseed rape: “It’s vital to make varieties fit to tackle the challenges of climate change.”

In breeding, oilseed rape hybrids have gained significant acceptance since the turn of the millennium and now account for almost 100 percent of the varieties used. One of the breeding objectives is to increase the oil content. It is currently between 40 and 50 percent, making oilseed rape a special crop. It is popular both as a healthy food and as fodder: The rapeseed extraction meal left over from oil pressing is suitable for feeding to cattle, pigs and poultry.

Winter oilseed rape in the car

Moreover, winter oilseed rape can also be used as a sustainable vehicle fuel: Biodiesel accounts for 72 percent of biofuel in Germany. Compared to diesel from fossil sources, its carbon footprint is 70 percent smaller.