From nutritional oil crops and specialist food ingredients to seed production and medicinal crops, a growing range of options is becoming available. While the crops discussed below all have different end markets and agronomic requirements, they share a common advantage: they can help improve rotational diversity while creating access to specialist markets.
As growers continue to review rotations and look for alternatives to traditional break crops, interest in specialist and alternative crops is growing. Challenges associated with oilseed rape establishment, particularly the ongoing impact of cabbage stem flea beetle, have prompted many businesses to reassess their rotational options.
While beans, peas and other pulse crops remain important break crop choices, many growers are increasingly looking beyond these established alternatives to explore opportunities that offer greater rotational diversity, access to premium markets and additional income streams.