It's high time to reconsider winter rapeseed cultivation

Winter rapeseed is one of the most cultivated crops in the Czech Republic. However, this promising oilseed crop has encountered problems in recent years, especially with the regulation of pesticides, which are necessary to maintain the yield level required for economically sustainable cultivation of this crop. Combined with high weather fluctuations, it is high time to reassess cropping patterns and search for alternative crop rotation interrupters.

Fig. 1 Winter rapeseed has found its place as an improving crop on most Czech farms.

The area of winter rapeseed is around 350,000 ha, which represents approximately 15% of the arable land area. It is also the most widely grown oilseed crop in the Czech Republic.

Fig. 2 Spatial distribution of land sown with winter rapeseed in the 2023/2024 season.

The crop has long been perceived negatively by the general public, while the situation is completely opposite among the professional public, for whom it is an effective " intercrop", if you will, a pre-crop in cereal sequences.

Winter rapeseed is not only a demanding crop in terms of cultivation, but also in terms of cultivation costs. The costs per 1 ha often approach the limit of 45,000 CZK/ha. However, for subsequent map calculations, I chose a value of 40,000 CZK/ha (1,610 EUR/ha). The revenues of individual districts represent the three-year average revenue. A separate chapter is the allocation of costs to individual crops, taking into account subsidies, etc.

Fig. 3 Revenues CZK/ha at a market price of winter rapeseed at the level of 12,000 CZK/t (480 EUR).

The price of rapeseed can be expected to be at a higher price level after the harvest, approximately at the level of 13,000 to 14,000 CZK/t, unfortunately even this level may not be sufficient for profitable cultivation in selected regions.

Fig. 4 Revenues CZK/ha at a market price of winter rapeseed at the level of 14,000 CZK/t (560 EUR).

Of course, a price of 16,000 CZK/t or more is a wishful thinking. This price can of course be achieved with an optimal market constellation - but one cannot rely on such a market situation. Nevertheless, even with a high price of 16,000 CZK/t, growing rapeseed may not be profitable.

Fig. 5 Revenues CZK/ha at a market price of winter rapeseed at the level of 16,000 CZK/t (640 EUR).

If we stay within the real and offered autumn price ranges for winter rapeseed, which are around 13,000 CZK/t, this crop is very likely to be unprofitable on many farms.

Fig. 6 Profit / loss of winter rapeseed at a price of 13,000 CZK/t (520 EUR).

In my experience, this visualization of profit / loss is very optimistic and the reality will be significantly worse. To manage the situation and prevent such " surprises", we at SAS Cropwise Operations use a table with costs for each plot, hectare and planned / estimated yield. At the same time, we are able to offer qualified experts in the field of crop production and the economics of agricultural companies.

What is your view on the results? Are you considering changing the crop rotation and solving the economic situation of the farm? Are our services and work interesting to you, or are you interested in cooperation? Write to me .