High erucic acid rape (HEAR)
High erucic acid rape (HEAR) can offer growers significant premiums.
At Frontier, we have some exclusive buyback contract opportunities available for HEAR and can support you with all aspects of production, from sourcing the seed to marketing the crop.
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The benefits of growing HEAR |
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HEAR can command higher premiums. The oil profile of HEAR is different to '00' oilseed rape, which makes it a niche crop in the market. |
No specialist crop management required. HEAR is the same plant species as standard oilseed rape so the work required to grow it is the same. |
No need to compromise on yield. Trials work has shown that HEAR varieties yield just as well as 00 oilseed rape crops. |
Excellent contract opportunities
Although the high erucic market is a niche one, it is one with significant demand and Frontier is able to offer HEAR growers competitive contracts as part of a secure, long term supply chain.
For 2021/2022 crops:
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The ‘produce of area’ contracts involve no risk of default |
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There is potential to achieve an additional £55/tonne |
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Growers can receive an additional £1,600 per load of HEAR leaving the farm gate |
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A 3-year contract is available, with a volume commitment offered in the second and third years |
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The contracts are an opportunity to access new and exclusive varieties. |
How does Frontier market HEAR?
HEAR supplies a key raw material for polymer additive production. This is used in the manufacture of erucamide which is a slip agent used in products such as printing inks, automotive components and engineering lubricants.
Supply chain management
Growers who commit to a Frontier HEAR contract benefit from end-to-end transparency within the supply chain.
Our expert seed and trials teams monitor the performance of HEAR varieties to ensure we only supply high quality, vigorous varieties, while our BASIS-qualified agronomists are on hand to advise on establishment, crop health and overall management.
Once the crop is harvested it’s taken to a crushing plant in Hull owned by our parent company, Cargill. Here, the oil is extracted and supplied to Croda Europe Ltd which is one of the world’s largest oleochemical producers and a global leader in novel polymer and additive technology. Frontier has an exclusive, long term supply agreement with Croda in place until 2025.
Part of the production process also results in a by-product of meal. This is produced after oil extraction and is used widely as a protein source in animal feed.
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| Frontier supplies seed to HEAR growers | Expert agronomists on hand to support crop production | |||
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| Harvested product is taken to Cargill’s crush in Hull |
The oil is extracted and supplied to Croda |
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HEAR varieties |
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Ramses A vigorous hybrid variety with an early maturity profile. Renowned for its high yield potential, Ramses produces a high oil and erucic acid content. It is tall strawed and has low lodging risk when managed with a plant growth regulator.
Disease profile
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Rhodes A particularly early flowering variety with a similar harvest maturity to Ramses. Rhodes provides high disease resistance, especially to light leaf spot. Though it is still a tall variety, Rhodes is slightly shorter than Ramses and has very good resistance to lodging.
Disease profile
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Support with growing HEAR
While HEAR doesn’t require any specialist management, it does need the same care and attention as 00 oilseed rape crops.
Factors such as drilling date, soil type, seedbed quality, moisture, pest pressure and drill accuracy are all important to consider. More guidance around oilseed rape establishment can be found here.
In terms of handling the grain, it’s important that HEAR is stored separately from 00 oilseed rape to safeguard quality and specification.
Companion cropping
As with standard oilseed rape varieties, the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies can also support the establishment of HEAR crops.
Companion cropping is an effective IPM tool with proven results; it is the term used to describe different crop species which are planted alongside the commercial crop. Companion crops can provide a range of benefits for oilseed rape including a defence against pests, improving soil health, boosting nutrition and encouraging pollinators.
Frontier’s specialist crops division, Kings Crops, offers three varieties of companion crop seed mixes. For more information and to contact an advisor, please visit the Kings website.
To enquire about marketing opportunities or to learn more about the support available when growing HEAR, please speak to your Frontier contact or click the link below.
