Crop Fact Sheet NNFCC

(Borago ofcinalis)

can be achieved with herbicides in most other crops. Compared with Evening Primrose, Borage has the advantages of spring sowing, bigger seeds, faster growth and earlier harvest.

Borage has been grown in the UK for a number of years as a high value, speciality oil crop. Similar to Evening Primrose, Borage is recognised as a key source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is commonly Where can borage be grown? used in personal care products and nutraceuticals. Borage has grown wild and cultivated in the UK for centuries. During the 1990s the crop area increased significantly, but following a recent increase in global production, the UK area is currently estimated to be in the region of 2,500 - 3,000 ha with only slight variation on this expected in future years. Borage is widely grown across the UK, from the south coast, to mid-Scotland. The oil profile in colder climates to the North is favourable; however areas of low rainfall are preferred owing to harvesting difficulties in wet conditions.

Establishment
Borage is sensitive to soil compaction and this should be rectified before drilling. As herbicide options are very limited, a stale seedbed approach is advisable, applications of a broad spectrum herbicide (e.g. glyphosate) should be applied pre-drilling or pre-emergence. The crop should be sown into a fine firm seedbed once soil temperature has reached 10C, this usually occurs in midApril in most areas. A target population of 70 - 80 plants per m2 is desirable and the rapid early growth rate should help to suppress weed growth in the initial stages.

What is borage used for?

Borage is grown for its Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), contained in the seed oil. GLA is an omega-6 essential fatty acid, found in many plants but in its most heavily concentrated form in borage. Borage oil is widely marketed as Starflower Oil, due to the visual nature of the flower, and is administered as a health food supplement or in skin care creams and cosmetics. GLA is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, without causing side-effects often encountered by other antiinflammatory drugs. Herbal medicine advocates also recommend Starflower Oil for autoimmunal disorders, arthritis, eczema and pre-menstrual stress.

If grown specifically for the pharmaceutical industry, Borage is classified as a non-food crop, however, as the majority is grown as a food supplement this is generally not the case. Non-food borage could be grown on set-aside land.

Bees
As bees are essential to pollination and thus crop productivity, beehives should be placed adjacent to borage crops. The Beekeepers Association will be able to provide a list of local members who will offer advice and guidance.

Production cycle

Borage is a spring sown annual oilseed crop requiring approximately 100 days from drilling to harvest. Borage is a good break crop in arable rotations but volunteers may be a problem in subsequent oilseed rape and sugar beet crops, therefore it is best to follow the crop with cereals. Effective control of borage volunteers

Key points
Alternative oilseed crop Suits conventional farm machinery Limited agrochemical options Low input Strict production specifications and full traceability required for some markets High value crop but yields can be variable depending on season and conditions at harvest

Borage seed

Starflower oil

Inputs
Borage is renowned for being a relatively low input crop; however if pesticides are required be sure to check that the product is approved for this use and check any end user growing guidelines, whereby Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) are monitored for food related end-markets.

Harvesting
Flowering commences around mid-June and may continue through to September. To minimise seed loss swathing should be carried out once seed begins to shed from the second or third most forward flower/pod sets. The crop should be laid on reasonable length stubble to allow even drying and ripening. The crop should be combined 7 10 days after swathing using a conventional harvester with pick-up header to minimise seed loss.

Nutrients
The crop requires relatively low inputs of nitrogen with around 75 - 80 kgN/ha applied to the seedbed, or split between the seedbed and the emerging crop. Maintenance dressings of P and K should also be applied.

Storage
Following harvest the seed should promptly be dried to 10% for safe storage and to maintain oil quality.

Pests
The caterpillars of Painted Lady Butterflies (Vanessa cardui) have been seen to cause localised damage to some crops; advice should be sought from your crop advisers if there appears to be a problem. Birds may also pose a potential problem and should be deterred throughout the later stages of growth and maturity.

Harvesting & storage

Swath soon after the most forward pods begin to shed Combine using a pick-up header commencing about 7 days from swathing Yields are variable, generally 0.4 t/ha on average Dry to 10% moisture, dryer temperatures should not exceed 40C Borage tends to absorb moisture from the atmosphere so closely monitor stored seed to prevent deterioration

Diseases
Powdery mildew is the only potentially damaging disease which can be controlled using elemental sulphur or fungicides with appropriate off label approval. Sclerotinia may also require treatment, similar to oilseed rape.

Agronomy
Sow April/early May Use stale seedbed approach Sow into fine seedbed using conventional drill capable of handling small seeds Good establishment will help suppress weeds 75-80 kgN/ha applied to seedbed Pesticides generally not used although Painted Lady caterpillars may need control in isolated cases

Crop productivity
Borage generally yields around 0.4 t/ha, with 0.7 t/ha achievable in optimum conditions. With a contract price currently in the region of 2,300 per tonne, ex farm gross margins of 700 /ha are achievable.

Further Information
Kings, Frontier Agriculture, Georgetown Road, A1 Trunk Road, Sandy, Beds., SG19 2UB www.kings.co.uk Technology Crops Limited Gowers Farm, Tumblers Green, Braintree, Essex, CM77 8AZ www.techcrops.com PBC Enterprises Roseholme Farm, Howsham, Market Rasen, Lincs, LN7 6JZ Email: pbcenterpr@aol.com
June 2008

Contracts
A number of companies in the UK offer buy back contracts and agronomy support. Contracts may require full traceability under the Assured Combinable Crops Scheme (ACCS). The crop is likely to suit growers with adequate harvesting and storage facilities and experience of growing small seeds.