Corteva is committed to delivering the tools Irish farmers need to secure oilseed rape’s valuable position for years to come.
Africa
Asia Pacific
Australasia
Europe
Latin America and Caribbean
North America
With our innovative R&D pipeline, fantastic hybrid varieties alongside proven crop protection products, Corteva is helping Irish farmers to maximise the potential of their crops.
This online hub will support you through the season. Bookmark this page and visit regularly for updates.
Why Belkar® and Astrokerb® in the programme makes sense for established oilseed rape
A successful oilseed rape crop is built right from the beginning. Once plants have emerged and begun to grow, protecting that investment becomes the priority. The herbicide strategy plays a very key role. Every weed competing with the crop for moisture, light, nutrients and space can reduce vigour, slow canopy development and ultimately impact yield potential.
That's why a programme approach to weed control is often the most effective strategy.
Belkar® provides the flexibility to assess crop growth and actual weed pressure before making treatment decisions. Applied from 1 September, it targets a wide range of competitive broad-leaved weeds including cleavers, cranesbill, fumitory, mayweed and poppies, helping remove competition at a time when young crops need every advantage. Controlling weeds early allows oilseed rape to establish more rapidly, make better use of available moisture and nutrients, and build biomass ahead of winter.
Following with Astrokerb® later in the autumn completes the programme by delivering reliable grassweed control alongside additional broad-leaved weed activity. This two-step approach enables growers to match inputs to field conditions, tackle weeds when they are most vulnerable and maintain crop competitiveness throughout the establishment period.
In a season where many crops may be drilled later and establishment is being driven by conditions rather than calendar dates, a Belkar followed by Astrokerb programme provides the flexibility, performance and reassurance needed to maximise the potential of every hectare of oilseed rape.
Further reading and resources
OSR in the ground? Now is the time to protect your investment. Explore the latest advice on managing weed competition, integrating companion crops and building a flexible herbicide programme with Belkar®, Astrokerb® and new LaDiva® to maximise crop competitiveness and yield potential.
Videos: Getting OSR off to the best possible start: Hugh Guinan's autumn advice. Watch our two videos below to learn more.
OSR establishment: Why conditions matter more than calendar date
Key factors behind successful oilseed rape establishment and why a condition-led approach could make all the difference
OSR establishment: Why conditions matter more than calendar date
Key factors behind successful oilseed rape establishment and why a condition-led approach could make all the difference
PACTS results now available for winter oilseed rape hybrids from Pioneer®
We’re excited to share the very latest results from the Pioneer Accurate Crop Testing Systems (PACTS) for winter oilseed rape. These trials are designed to provide growers with robust, field-tested data to support confident decision-making when selecting hybrids for the upcoming season.
This year’s PACTS results highlight the outstanding performance and agronomic strengths of four key Pioneer hybrids:
- PT303: The first winter oilseed rape hybrid to be marketed with built-in Sclerotinia tolerance, offering a strong agronomic package including Turnip Yellows Virus (TuYV) resistance and consistent yield performance.
- PT312: A high-yielding and high oil content hybrid with excellent vigour and built-in Sclerotinia tolerance. As well as TuYV resistance this variety is also Pod Shatter tolerant.
- PT315: Known for its strong disease resistance, very high oil content and reliable performance across a range of environments. This variety incorporates Pod Shatter resistance and Stem Canker resistance based on Rlm7 gene.
- PT322: The newest Pioneer hybrid delivering exceptionally high oil content (47.81% in trials) and disease resistance. With Sclerotinia tolerance, TuYV resistance, Pod Shatter tolerance and strong scores for Light Leaf Spot (8) and Stem Canker (7). The stem canker resistance is based on the newer LmS gene.
These hybrids have been rigorously tested across multiple locations and growing conditions, giving growers the confidence to choose varieties that align with their agronomic goals and local challenges.
Take a look at some of the trial results below:
Based on four UK trials conducted by Pioneer Research.
To learn more about Pioneer's OSR range, click here.
Find information on oilseed rape herbicides
Astrokerb and Kerb Flo FAQs
Can I tank mix Belkar with Kerb Flo or Astrokerb?
Yes, Kerb Flo or Astrokerb are compatible with Belkar for additional broad-leaved weed control and can be mixed with approved graminicides or fungicides to avoid extra spray passes.
Do I need a dry leaf for application?
No, Kerb Flo is soil-acting, so spraying wet weeds or light rainfall after application is not an issue.
Do I need a dry leaf for Astrokerb?
Ideally apply to a drying leaf. Rainfastness for the aminopyralid component is about 1 hour; heavy rain within that time may reduce efficacy.
What is the rainfast period for Astrokerb?
For the aminopyralid component, rainfastness is approximately 1 hour. Avoid spraying if heavy rain is imminent.
What stewardship steps should I follow for Kerb Flo or Astrokerb?
Check field drains, avoid spraying near watercourses and follow buffer zone requirements. Always complete your propyzamide stewardship checklist before application.
Instinct® nitrogen stabiliser
Nitrogen use efficiency is about getting the most from every kilo of applied nitrogen. It's well-known that significant amounts of nitrogen can escape from fields as nitrate into water courses, and the atmosphere as nitrous oxide. If nitrogen is not in the soil, crops can’t access it, which limits yield potential and is environmentally unsustainable. Instinct keeps more nitrogen in the soil for longer, improving nitrogen use efficiency.
Find information on oilseed rape varieties
We have a wide selection of Pioneer® winter oilseed rape hybrids that have been extensively trialled across the UK and Ireland.
