What would a summer be without the golden yellow rapeseed fields? Even after flowering, the bright color of the high-yielding crop remains. Then it comes, for example, in the form of rapeseed oil in margarine on bread or in the pan, provides us with healthy fatty acids or sweetens breakfast as creamy honey. However, until you can taste the yield from the small seeds, the high effort of harvesting is required. Determining the right time for this is not that easy.
Rapeseed is usually harvested in autumn
When is the time for the rapeseed harvest?
In July, dark pods developed from the sea of yellow blossoms, which can now be harvested and processed. Since the rapeseed harvest is highly dependent on weather conditions, the appropriate time varies from locality to locality and from year to year. On top of that, the rapeseed variety is also important.
Conditions for harvesting
- brown pods
- black seeds
- Humidity below 11%
Experience and a good feel are required
Naturally, not all oilseed rape plants mature at the same rate. This plant in particular has a flowering period of four weeks. The main shoots form first, followed by the side shoots. accordingly, these are not yet fully formed in July, but the main shoots are ripe for harvest. The influence of wind and sun is also decisive for the ripening process of the rapeseed flower, so that the upper shoots turn brown faster. Therefore, farmers always focus on the top pods.
Disadvantages of still green pods
- less oil content
- gummy grains clog the engine of the combine harvester
- the rape is still too wet
- general crop loss due to unusable grains
set priorities
Hasty action and an early harvest can mean major losses for rapeseed production. A successful yield requires a certain level of experience. But even the trained farmer is not always entirely sure and plays a little with luck. Weather forecasts are a helpful guide. It also makes the workload easier if the rape is brought in before the wheat. Again, this can have a detrimental effect on crop yield. In this case, it is entirely up to the farmer whether he opts for more practical working conditions or the highest possible profit.