Excellent crop yields are being achieved by Biodiesel New Zealand's farmer suppliers this season, with about half the 2012 autumn oilseed rape crop harvested.
More than 1000ha of rapeseed has been harvested so far, with many South and North Canterbury growers recording yields of between 4 and 5 tonnes a hectare; compared to previous averages of slightly less than 3 tonnes.
In Otago and Southland, farmers have reported yields of between 3 and 4 tonnes despite dry summer conditions.
In the North Island, one Manawatu cropping farmer reported a reading on his header of more than 7 tonnes.
It had been an "excellent year" for crops in many parts of the country, Biodiesel New Zealand farm advisory manager Ash Pace said.
"With the oilseed rape yields up to 50% above what we had been averaging, there's also been an additional dividend from the research done to identify and supply the most appropriate cultivars, sharing knowledge between farmers and the agronomy support they're getting from us and our merchant partners," he said.
Biodiesel New Zealand, which is owned by Solid Energy New Zealand, each year produces several million litres of biodiesel from premium used cooking oil and oilseed rape.
Customers include fleet operators, transport operators, tourism businesses, fishing businesses, contracting companies, manufacturers, farmers and home owners.
A biodiesel plant operates in Christchurch, with an oilseed storage and processing plant at Rolleston.
The company expected to set its offer price for autumn-sown oilseed rape (2013 harvest) in the coming weeks and would look to increase the area of crop under contract.
The company was evaluating some new varieties and expected to make a decision about which should be made available to growers following the 2013 harvest, he said.