THE predicted demand from the biofuel market for oil and starch crops from 2010 was likened to "a steamroller about to hit us", a farmers' meeting was told.

Speaking in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, James Woolway, managing director of Opico, said that 17 million tonnes of oilseed rape - equivalent to a third of world production - would be needed to produce the 7.7 billion litres of biodiesel needed to meet the 5.75 per cent inclusion rate imposed on EU member states.

Up to a third of next year's US maize crop could end up feeding its bioethanol industry, the demand for which has already doubled the maize price in the past 12 months. Mr Woolway said: "Given this scenario, oilseed rape has got to increase in value and will merit a fresh look at how crop yields can be increased from the national average of just over three tonnes per hectare."

He was addressing a Till-Seeding presentation organised by Ripon Farm Services, at Thirsk's rural centre.

Reviewing the results of seven years of the till-seeding cultivation technique developed by Opico, he said it was clear a yield increase of ten to 20 per cent could be added to the established benefits of increased efficiency.

Phillip Marr, Masstock agronomist, was disgusted that the UK's average oilseed rape yield was more than one tonne per hectare less than Germany and France, when it had the potential to yield 6.5 tonnes per hectare using best current practice.