Oilseed rape protection by drone
We protect oilseed rape by drone at three key timings: before flowering (against pollen beetle), at flowering (fungicide) and before harvest (desiccation). The drone causes no trampling, while a tractor in a crop this dense destroys 5 to 6% of the plants for good. Treatment costs €20 to €25 per hectare, and new clients ordering at least 10 ha get the first hectare free.
Pollen beetle: spraying before flowering
Pollen beetle is controlled in spring, just before flowering, once numbers pass the economic threshold. Oilseed rape is highly susceptible to this pest, which can halve the yield if it is not controlled in time (ADAMA Serbia).
The threshold changes as the plant develops. Before the flower buds have formed, one adult beetle per plant is enough to spray; once the buds have formed, the threshold rises to two or three beetles. When flowering starts, the beetle feeds on open pollen, so the threshold is much higher because the damage is smaller. Once about 50 to 60% of the flowers are open, an insecticide treatment is usually no longer needed. We set the exact day by combining warnings from PIS (Plant Protection Forecasting and Reporting Service of Vojvodina) with what we see in your field.
Pollen beetle is small, but the drone controls it well. Flying about 3 metres above the crop, the rotors create a strong downdraught that drives fine droplets deep into the crop and covers every part of the plant. Your agronomist chooses the insecticide and the rate from the label, and our pilot Nikola mixes the solution in the field. Before every insecticide application we inform local beekeepers so they can protect their hives.
More on monitoring this pest: pollen beetle: when to spray oilseed rape.
Spraying oilseed rape in flower
We protect oilseed rape in full flower by drone, with no mechanical contact with the plants. The key treatment at this stage is a fungicide against Sclerotinia stem rot, and agronomic advice (including KWS) gives full flowering as the best timing. By then the crop is tall, dense and intertwined, so every tractor pass costs a great deal of yield.
Flowering oilseed rape is one of the most important forage sources for bees, so the choice of product and the time of application (often late afternoon or early evening) follow the fungicide label strictly. If an insecticide also goes into the tank for any reason, we always inform beekeepers in the area so they can shut their colonies in time.
Oilseed rape desiccation
Desiccation of oilseed rape is a chemical treatment before harvest. It evens out ripening, prevents the crop from over-ripening and, most importantly, stops widespread pod shattering. A pod sealant that physically strengthens the pod can be added to the desiccant. You choose the products with your agronomist.
The agronomist sets the day for desiccation by checking the pods in the field by eye and by hand. The interval between spraying and the combine going in (pre-harvest interval, PHI) is fixed by the product label.
More about this service: desiccation by drone. See also how the treatment differs on other crops: soybean desiccation and sunflower desiccation.
Oilseed rape treatment calendar
The table shows the usual order through the season. The exact day is always set by the crop stage, the PIS forecast and your agronomist.
| Treatment | When | Drone or tractor |
|---|---|---|
| Herbicide after drilling | Autumn, pre-emergence | Tractor |
| Autumn insecticide (cabbage stem flea beetle, turnip sawfly) | At the damage threshold (autumn) | Drone |
| Autumn fungicide | 6 to 8 leaf stage | Drone |
| Pollen beetle | Spring, before flowering (at threshold) | Drone |
| Fungicide at flowering | Full flower | Drone |
| Desiccation | Before harvest, depending on pod ripeness | Drone |
What drone spraying of oilseed rape costs
Drone spraying of oilseed rape costs €25/ha up to 20 ha, €22/ha for 20 to 100 ha and €20/ha above 100 ha. The same prices apply to desiccation and foliar feeding. You supply the product and the water at the field. Travel to fields within 50 km of Opovo is free.
Example (a new client's first order): 30 ha near Padina (29 km from Opovo).
| 30 ha × €22 | €660 |
|---|---|
| First hectare free | −€22 |
| Travel (within 50 km) | €0 |
| Total | €638 |
If we agree a package of three treatments on the same field (for example pollen beetle, fungicide at flowering and desiccation), you get 5% off the whole amount. You pay after each completed treatment. Fields under 10 ha we only take within 20 km of Opovo. All terms are in the price list.
What will spraying your field cost?
Pick the service, the crop and the place. You see the price at once, with travel and discounts.
Road distances: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Estimated price
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Questions about protecting oilseed rape by drone
In spring, just before flowering, as soon as the threshold is passed. Before the flower buds have formed, one beetle per plant is enough. Once the buds have formed, the threshold is two or three beetles. When flowering is well under way (50 to 60%), a treatment is usually no longer needed. We set the day using the PIS Vojvodina forecast and a field visit.
Technically the drone is the safest option, because it does not break plants and sprays from above. Bee safety, however, depends entirely on the product: whether it is toxic to bees is stated on the label. If the mix contains an insecticide, we always inform beekeepers before we start.
Just before harvest, to even out ripening and prevent widespread pod shattering. The agronomist decides the exact date by assessing crop ripeness in the field. A pod sealant that stops the pods opening can be added to the desiccant.
Yes. The strong airflow from the rotors drives fine droplets straight down through the dense canopy to the lower leaves, covering every part of the plant where pests can hide.
For 30 ha the price is 30 × €22 = €660. With the first hectare free, it comes to €638. Padina is 29 km away, so there is no travel charge. Check the exact figure for your field in the calculator.
- First hectare free
- Free travel within 50 km
Book oilseed rape protection
Tell us the location, the number of hectares and the treatment. We fix the price from the calculator and agree the exact day around PIS warnings and the wind forecast. Clients who book a package of three or more treatments get priority when scheduling.