England to See Smallest Oilseed Rape Harvest Since 2009 – Report
Winter cropping acreage for England and Wales has declined for the second year in a row, with England’s oilseed rape acreage falling by 10% to its lowest level since 2009, according to the latest Winter Planting Survey released by the UK’s Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
Total wheat, winter barley, oats, and oilseed rape acreage in England and Wales equaled 2.66 million hectares, representing a 5% year on year decline. Of this acreage, wheat accounts for 1.66 million hectares, oilseed rape acreage in England accounts for 548,000 hectares, winter barley accounts for 376,000 hectares, and oat acreage in England accounts for 79,000 hectares.
The survey also concluded that combined wheat acreage in Wales and England is 3% below wheat acreage harvested last year, and this year’s output is expected to be similar to last year’s. England’s oilseed rape acreage is 10% lower than last year’s 611,000 hectares harvested last year, indicating that the country is on pace to see its smallest rape harvest since 2009. Winter barley acreage in Wales and England is 2% below the 383,000 hectares harvested last year, but is higher than the area harvested in 2014. Meanwhile, oats acreage is found to be 5,000 hectares lower than last year’s planting indicating an expected decline in oat production for 2016.
.png)