Winter Crop Plantings March 17, 2016 12:00 am The area of combinable crops planted across Great Britain has declined for the second year running. As of 1st December 2015, according to the AHDB (Cereals) and the Scottish Government planting surveys, there was just under 5% less winter cereals and oilseed rape planted in Great Britain than at the same time the year before. The table below shows the GB winter wheat area is 2% lower than the same time last year as of 1st December. There are usually some additional winter plantings after this date, plus a rising amount of spring wheat crops in recent years. The winter barley area also shows a 2% drop, with oats declining by rather more. For both of these crops, the decline in winter plantings is likely to be compensated by a rise in spring plantings as growers shift to more spring cropping. The table shows the sharp decline in the winter oilseed rape area. DECEMBER SURVEY OF PLANTED AREAS ‘000 Ha – GB 1 December 2013 Survey 1 December 2014 Survey 2015 Harvest Final 1 December 2015 Survey % change 2014-2015 Winter Wheat 1,927 1,799 1,825* 1,764 -2% Winter Barley 433 434 435 427 -2% Oats 98 94 129* 89 -5% W. Oilseed Rape 739 669 652 582 -13% Total 3,196 2,997 3,041 2,862 -5% Source: AHDB (HGCA) * all wheat/oats including spring plantings The collection of this data is now Split. In England and Wales the AHDB have taken over from DEFRA in conducting the Survey. This information can be found at – http://cereals.ahdb.org.uk/media/880695/ahdb-winter-planting-survey-2015-7th-march.pdf. The Scottish statistics can be found at – http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/8630.
