UK: Spring barley area up 6%, winter down 2% - AHDB

A new AHDB planting and variety survey shows an increase in the forecast area for harvest of oats and spring barley in Great Britain – but a 9% drop in oilseed rape.

The predicted English OSR area has dropped by 8% to the lowest level since 2009. Winter barley and wheat areas have also declined (winter barley – by 2% to 426 thousand ha).

In terms of the total cereals and oilseeds area, the fall in planted OSR more than outweighs a 6% increase in the forecasted spring barley harvest 2016 (to 682 thousand ha), and a 4% increase in the GB oat area.

Isobel Robinson, AHDB market analyst said: “Spring barley looks to have benefitted from a common trend across the country towards spring cropping, likely influenced by economic factors and efforts to control black-grass and broader agronomic issues.

“The prospect of historically poor market returns at planting was likely a key factor behind the lower oilseed rape area.”

The survey draws on data from almost 3,000 farms. Growers were asked to submit intended harvest areas and the area harvested last year. Percentage changes are based on comparison to the Defra 2015 June Survey of Agriculture.

15 July, 2016