Winter bird use of oilseed rape established by autocasting and non-inversion tillage were compared over two years on Grange Farm. The hypothesis was that autocasting made winter stubbles available through the winter. However, the results indicate that there is no significant difference. The possible reasons for this are that the oilseed rape rapidly grows up to prevent access to the seed within the stubble or that birds do not use it once the rape has grown up due to the predation risk. At present the decision on method of establishment for oilseed rape crops should be based on agronomic considerations, as for birds, there is no clear and consistent evidence that suggests one technique is more beneficial than the other.
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