FARMER John Spence is looking forward to seeing how a hybrid winter oilseed rape variety performs at harvest.

He reckons the best looking of his 330-acres of rape is a 50-acre field of Es Betty, which he planted because its high vigour is suited to northern conditions.

Mr Spence farms 1,300 acres of arable at Whitchester Farm, near Newcastle.

He said: "The field followed winter barley and was ploughed, then worked down with a Simba press and drilled with a four- metre Vaderstad drill.

"It was one of the first crops drilled, on around August 20, and it went with no problems. The Betty germinated rapidly and established well in early autumn. It looked very good as it went into the winter."

Mr Spence managed the crop with an early autumn insecticide treatment, followed by Katamaran (metazachlor and quinmerac) for autumn weed control.

He said: "In spring, we treated for Light Leaf Spot and followed this up with a flowering spray to control pests and diseases. We will desiccate with Round-up in a few weeks time, prior to harvest."

Mr Spence also grows the hybrid Excalibur and the conventional variety Barrel.

He said: "With the Betty looking so good when drilled early, I would like to see how it would do when it is drilled a little later."

Howard Eke, of Horizon Finney Lock, said Es Betty has been the highest yielding rape at the NIAB trials centre at Cockle Park, near Morpeth, the nearest trials site to Newcastle.

Betty also has good straw stiffness and resistance to lodging - both rated seven - and good Light Leaf Spot resistance at a six rating.