Move being made away from winter varieties

Survey shows poor autumn drilling conditions led to fair drop in winter planting

Scottish growers are moving away from winter barley to spring varieties, according to AHDB.

Results from the farm levy body’s planting survey shows a 5% increase in the spring barley area to just over 630,000 acres, from just under 603,000 acres last year. The winter barley acreage is down 18% on the year.

“Due to the poor autumn drilling conditions in much of Scotland we have seen a fair drop in winter planting and an increase in the spring barley area,” said AHDB knowledge exchange manager Gavin Dick.

“There are of course regional differences across Scotland, I certainly seem to see a lot more barley in the north-east, and our figures show that while the wheat area in the south has decreased this year, in percentage terms we have seen a far bigger drop in wheat planting in the north.”

The wheat acreage is down 3% to 262,000 acres and, according to the survey, more growers are opting for nabim Group 3 varieties, which now represent a quarter of the Scottish wheat area.

This is up from 14% in 2017, at the expense of Group 4 Soft varieties.

The amount of oilseed rape sown has increased by 3% to just over 86,000 acres, while the oats area remains similar to last year at 79,000 acres but higher than the five-year average.

Mr Dick said although there is a clear difference in winter and spring barley planting figures, overall the total Scottish barley area has remained static and any change in yield later this year would most likely be down to environmental factors such as the prolonged period of dry weather.

Malting varieties account for 71% of the total Scottish barley area – up from 2017 when varieties with full approval for last year’s harvest accounted for 57% of the area sown.

“While there seems to be a big change in the proportion of barley grown with full approval this year that is likely largely down to the fact that Laureate was not approved at the beginning of last season, but many farmers grew it as it was recommended, and it did then gain approval later in the year,” added Mr Dick.

Seasonal planting figures have changed but overall the total Scottish barley area has remained static.