Farmers Content With Rapeseed Yield
As harvesting of winter grains gets under way, growers can be satisfied with estimates for the rape yield as well as this year's prices.
The first rape crops have been harvested in southern Estonia's Setomaa, reported ETV.
Hindrek Muts, manager of LLC Alex Agro, said the company's first field reaped an average of three tons per hectare.
"We were hoping for slightly more, but are satisfied with the result," Muts said. "Prices have risen 10 to 15 percent compared to last year and this spring, and all will be well if the sale price stays the same."
A good selling price does not necessarily mean higher profits, because costs for fertilizer could rise in the following spring.
Rape can be a relatively profitable crop, but to avoid low fertility and diseases it can be sown on the same field only once every four years. The crops must be rotated with cultures such as wheat, barley and oats to maintain successful farming.
The demand for rape surpasses the amount planted, meaning the increased prices of cooking oil are not likely to lower any time soon. The summer strain of rapeseed is also looking comely and favorable harvests can be expected by the end of August, growers said.
Robin Ilves