A Field of Oilseed Rape Flowers near Denton.
The fields of the UK seem to have a lot of oilseed rape in them this year. Why? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18249840 ( old article but still valid )
Travelling up and down the railways and motorways of the UK in recent weeks, it seems like the surrounding fields are yellower than ever.
The bright dandelion-yellow flowers of oilseed rape have been a familiar sight across farmland in spring across the country for years.
But now experts say farmers are growing more than ever before.
The boom is being driven by rocketing prices as it becomes more desirable for food, and other producers in Europe suffer the effects of bad weather.
Dr Fiona Burnett, a plant
pathologist at the Scottish Agricultural College, says rapeseed oil has
historically fulfilled a useful role as a "break crop" in farm rotation -
to suppress weeds and improve soil quality - for cereal crops such as
wheat and barley.
But whereas in the past the crop has been largely functional -
and has not made farmers much money - in recent years it has become
hugely profitable, she says. 
