Behind the Scenes

20 Apr

Its that time of year where the fields are bursting with bright yellow oil seed rape flower. It really does make our fields look full of sunshine. However, it is very short lived as soon the flower will go and the crop will be harvested to make more delicious rapeseed oil.

The oil seed rape crop typically grows to 100cm high and the term rapeseed refers to the harvested component of the crop. Each stalk of the oil seed rape crop has multiple flowers on, which is why the oil seed rape fields that you see really do look so lush and vibrant.

During the processing of the rapeseed into oil, a by-product is left behind. This by-product is high in protein and makes an excellent animal feed. This means that during the production process there is no waste at all.

As we have mentioned on the blog before, as well as the vibrant yellow flowers looking great, they also produce a high amount of nectar. We have taken full advantage of this additional product of the oil seed rape and have housed some honey bees on our farm.

We have been out to get some pictures of the beautiful fields of rapeseed flower that we have this year. Last year was a great year for our crop and we are hoping for the same this year too. Here are some of the pictures below.