Final harvest survey results in

Growers of combinable crops have enjoyed mixed fortunes this year according to the NFUs annual harvest survey.

The survey, which farmers across the UK have participated in, has revealed that cereals in general are showing a small reduction in their overall production due to reduced yields reported across all the main cereal crops. Oilseed rape production however increased, due to both higher average yields and increased planted area.

A challenging season appears to have affected cereal crops which were impacted by a dry growing season, which for many was then followed by wet harvest conditions.

NFU combinable crops chairman Ian Backhouse said: Overall this years total wheat production remained stable despite the decrease in yields, thanks to the increased plantings last autumn. For oilseed rape the production increase shows the benefits from both the greater adoption of technology on farm and also improved plant varieties. However, the increased area of oilseed rape indicates it remains the main break crop of choice on farm highlighting again the limited choice for farmers for other profitable break crops.

The variability in yields seen this year, across cereals in particular, shows that even with farmers best efforts, production can be impacted by the vagaries of the weather, which in turn contributes to the market volatility we are experiencing.

• Overall wheat production is stable (14.8million tonnes compared to the five-year average of 14.9million tonnes) from 2009, despite yields being down on average by over three per cent compared to last year, reflecting the increased planted area.

• Winter barley production has fallen against the five-year average by almost 180,000 tonnes – 6.9 per cent decrease. This follows reduced planting and poorer yield performance down two per cent on 2009 and around three per cent against the five-year figure.

• Oilseed rape harvest, however, has increased by around 190,000 tonnes, or 9.7 per cent against the five-year average due to increased plantings and higher yields. This is up 3.7 per cent against the five-year average and slightly up on 2009.