borage

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This crop fact sheet is a little dated (June 2008) but still, offers a nice overview.
 
Apparently 0.415 tonne/ hectare. But it needs swathing, then a combine according to the article below. Wasn't it a windrower as I recall from summer work years ago? http://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/farming/10749538.Plea_to_farmers_on_borage_growing/

Anyhoo, OSR is what, a decent yield around 10 tonnes a hectare? Easy to store borage oil I'd have thought, and with a steady if lowish specialist demand there's no need to sell it all this year. Or next.

I'm thinking of growing rice this year.
or webbed feet !!!!!
 
:icon_204-2:53;392788]or webbed feet !!!!![/quote]

You could try farming frogs and going into exports.:icon_204-2::icon_204-2:
 
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I have been asked to put some of my hives on a field that is going to be sown with borage, when its in flower... Does any one know iff it is a good crop 2 put them on?????/

Lovely honey.
 
Would that be the secret of your laid back bees?

Yeah man.....cool:sifone:

It would certainly make an interesting smoker fuel

H12_Albert%20Hanne%20with%20Beekeepers%20Pipe_370px.jpg
 
Apparently 0.415 tonne/ hectare. But it needs swathing, then a combine according to the article below. Wasn't it a windrower as I recall from summer work years ago? http://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/farming/10749538.Plea_to_farmers_on_borage_growing/

Anyhoo, OSR is what, a decent yield around 10 tonnes a hectare? Easy to store borage oil I'd have thought, and with a steady if lowish specialist demand there's no need to sell it all this year. Or next.

I'm thinking of growing rice this year.

A good OSR crop would be 5mt /ha a good wheat crop will be 10mt/ha, borage is coming back, and with poor OSR prices some reluctant farmers are looking to borage for a break crop to replace OSR. The reason a lot are reluctant are a combination of it is a risky crop that once swathed has to 'ret' (decompose and ripen) in the swath where it is not uncommon to loose 50% of the potential yield (or alot more if the weather goes against you)These lost seeds being an oilseed are incredibly persistent, hence the farmers saying 'you never just grow it once' i.e. it keeps coming back.

That said grown well and with a spot of luck it can be very profitable for both farmer and beekeeper. Get a spell of wet weather followed by hot during flowering and a good colony will fill a super every other day with nectar, a lot of spare space is needed to dry they nectar down, it is also a joy to extract.

I take all my hives to borage each year and some years that can mean a 120mile round trip, but it is well worth it if the weather is with you, last year was awesome, the year before was a disaster.

C B
 
]Think Toby thought a problem.. now informed otherwise: thanks for the advice.. i suppose ile have to take a few hives to this {problem} field when its in flower.. better get stocked up with buckets {hopefully:cheers2::party:
 
Borrowing that line from a TV sketch show (about going for an English) to describe Borage honey.

Have you got anything blander than this?
 

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