Oilseed rape, though seemingly a newcomer to our landscape, has roots dating back to the 14th century and 500 years later it served as a lubricant for steam engines.

Oilseed rape production really took off in the UK in the 1970s, and its golden blooms now blanket nearly a million acres across Britain.

A staple of the mustard family, it yields valuable vegetable oil for foods and biofuels, contributing £700 million annually to UK agriculture.