Extra barley and oilseed rape sown at expense of wheat in UK

The UK will harvest much less wheat because of extra barley and oilseed rape (OSR) having been sown.

That is in line with the newest planting and selection survey from the Agricultural and Horticultural Growth Board (AHDB).

The survey, which supplies planted space estimates for the UK with a regional breakdown, revealed the UK wheat space for harvest 2023 is ready to barely lower 12 months on 12 months.

It’s estimated that 1.75 million hectares of wheat has been planted for harvest 2023. The slight year-on-year lower in wheat space has been on the expense of extra barley and oilseed rape (OSR) being sown.

The full UK barley space is estimated to extend by 5% within the 12 months with an uplift in each winter and spring space.

There’s additionally a rise within the GB rape space, which is estimated to extend 11% year-on-year.

Excessive costs in spring 2022 supplied growers the motivation to plant extra OSR.

There appears to be a motion away from various break crops similar to oats, because the GB oat space is ready to lower by 7% year-on-year.

Barley and oilseed rape

Anthony Speight, AHDB senior analyst, stated: “The UK harvest is right here and it’s extremely possible that gross margins for 2023 are going to be squeezed compared to 2022.

“This season has been a excessive enter 12 months for farmers as inflation, power costs and enter prices have elevated exponentially.

“Since winter crops have been sown, world grain markets have been on a downward drift as markets have adjusted, navigated and digested the conflict and geo-politics within the Black Sea.

“It’s a tough time for growers as cereal and oilseed costs are actually decrease than what they had been when planting intentions had been determined final 12 months, and people peak advertising and marketing alternatives might have handed for 2023 harvest.”

Speight defined that with the conflict persevering with in Ukraine, it’s nonetheless a unstable and unknown time for commodity costs.

“As harvest 2023 begins, growers can have a clearer concept on their breakeven level,” he stated.

For 2023, the entire UK wheat space is estimated at 1.75 million hectares, 3% down from 2022.

The full UK barley space for harvest 2023 is estimated at 1.15 million hectares , up 5% on the 12 months.

The GB spring barley space is estimated at 702,000ha, up 7% year-on-year, whereas the GB winter barley space is estimated to be 2% greater at 434,000ha.

The GB oat space is estimated at 161,000ha, that is 7% down year-on-year. In distinction, the GB rape space 11% greater than 2022 ranges, estimated at 402,000ha for 2023.

KWS Extase is the most well-liked wheat selection for 2023, accounting for 17% of the entire GB wheat space.

For barley, Laureate is the most well-liked selection, accounting for 32% of the entire GB barley space.