In this special edition of the Agricology Podcast, we introduce an exciting new research project investigating how companion cropping can support pest, weed, and disease management in oilseed rape (OSR). Head of Agricology Matt Smee is joined by Duncan Coston (Entomological Research Consultant and Project Lead) and Lynn Tatnell (Weed Biologist at ADAS) to explore why OSR can be such a challenging crop for UK farmers and how companion cropping could offer a more resilient, regenerative way forward. 

They discuss topics such as: 

  • What companion cropping involves in practice. 

  • How this technique could help manage pests such as cabbage stem flea beetle.

  • The benefits of working in partnership with farmers and researchers in Sweden. 

  • What the project is hoping to achieve over the next three years.

  • How farmers in the UK can follow the research or get involved in trials. 

We hope you enjoy listening! 

Show notes 

This podcast is part of a three-year research project investigating how companion cropping can support pest, weed, and disease management in winter OSR in Sweden and the UK. 

Running from January 2025 to December 2027, the study 'Companion Cropping in Winter Oilseed Rape' aims to develop integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that reduce reliance on pesticides, offering growers practical and organic crop protection techniques. 

The project has been generously funded by the Ekhaga Foundation and is a collaboration between ADAS, Agricology and Agrovast.  

Read more about the project and how you can get involved in the trials here.

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