UK: 70% of winter barley crops in good to excellent condition, AHDB says

The Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) has published its latest cereal and oilseed rape crop update for the UK which, for the most part, makes very favourable reading.

Overall, crop establishment is good for winter wheat, though late-drilled crops are slightly thinner and patchy due to the wet conditions. Most crops are now approaching GS30.

At the end of March, 67% of the GB winter wheat crop is in excellent or good condition. This is much improved from 44% at the end of November and 33% at this point last year.

But the proportion in excellent or good condition is still below the 90% recorded in March 2023 and 81% in March 2022, the AHDB has stated.

In general, winter barley had good to very good establishment and over wintered well. An estimated 70% of winter barley crops are in good to excellent condition at the end of March, compared to just 38% a year ago and 57% in November.

The proportion is still below March 2023 (92%) and in March 2022 (80%). Most crops are now approaching GS30-31.

Winter oat crops are generally doing well, with good yields expected. Overall, 73% of winter oats were in good to excellent condition at the end of March, up from 52% at the end of November and 37% a year ago.

While the proportion in good or excellent condition is below March 2022’s 78% or March 2023’s 83%, it is by a smaller margin than other winter cereals.

Oilseed rape crop condition is variable. But there is still potential for good yields where pests have not caused major damage, according to the AHDB.

Cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) levels were low. But, while there was little adult flea beetle activity in autumn, extensive damage from larvae in stems is evident.

Pigeon damage has also been a bigger issue for winter rape crops over recent months. Deer grazing is also a concern, with high numbers causing significant localised damage.
Overall, 57% of rape crops are in a good to excellent condition at the end of March, down from 73% at the end of November.

This is this still above the 31% seen at this point last year and below the levels seen in March 2022 (64%) and March 2023 (70%).

Spring cereal drilling is well underway and most advanced for spring wheat and spring barley, which are being prioritised.

An estimated 82% of spring wheat has been sown nationally, 67% of spring barley and 57% of spring oats.

However, some crops are slow to emerge due to cold weather. Only a small amount of spring oilseed rape has been sown so far.

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