LLS ERASED partners back OSR Reboot to restore confidence in oilseed rape
Partners in the LLS-ERASED project have pledged support for the OSR Reboot campaign, putting farmer-led research at the centre of efforts to revive UK oilseed rape production.
The industry-wide OSR Reboot initiative, led by United Oilseeds, was launched in 2024 with the ambition of reversing years of decline in the crop by bringing together growers, researchers and the supply chain around practical, science-based solutions.
Led by the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN), LLS-ERASED, a three-year £2.5m Defra-funded programme tackling light leaf spot, widely regarded as the most economically damaging disease in UK oilseed rape. Other partner organisations include the John Innes Centre, ADAS, University of Hertfordshire and UK Agri-Tech Centre – and alongside BOFIN they are working to advance precision-bred lines with reduced susceptibility to the disease, and develop forecasting tools to improve understanding and support more targeted control.
BOFIN founder and LLS-ERASED project lead Tom Allen-Stevens said: “OSR Reboot is exactly the sort of collaborative initiative that will make a material difference for prospects for the crop as the industry works together to find innovative but practical solutions.
“LLS-ERASED directly supports the three OSR Reboot pillars – agronomy, breeding and policy – and we look forward to sharing what we learn over the three years of the project.”
James Warner, managing director of United Oilseeds: “It’s great to see both industry and government continuing to invest in projects like LLS-ERASED to tackle disease challenges in this important home-grown crop. Over the past two years, the OSR Reboot has worked hard to bring the industry together, developing initiatives such as the 10 strategies for managing cabbage stem flea beetle in oilseed rape and supporting projects like CSFB Research+.
“However, all this positive work risks being undermined unless we continue to improve our understanding and management of light leaf spot. That’s why it’s so encouraging to see the British On-Farm Innovation Network leading this important new project, bringing growers, researchers and breeders together to help secure the long-term future of UK OSR.”
The OSR Reboot campaign sets out a roadmap for recovery, including its 10 shared strategies for OSR success, which highlight actions such as improving establishment, adopting integrated pest management and testing different management approaches.
It aims to increase the knowledge around oilseed rape production to help tackle some of the major challenges faced by growers, particularly pest and disease management. For more information visit https://www.unitedoilseeds.co.uk/osr-reboot