England’s oilseed rape area has fallen to a 16-year low in 2019 following a year of challenging agronomics and pest pressure.
According to the results of the annual AHDB Planting and Variety Survey, the OSR area has been replaced by an increased cereal area, notably wheat and oats.
Overall barley area has remained largely static, although more winter barley has been planted and the area of spring barley reduced.
AHDB analyst Peter Collier says: “The challenges being faced with oilseed rape have resulted in the lowest area since 2003.
"In place of OSR has been an increased cereal area. With potentially good yields and Brexit uncertainty, a greater importance should be placed on marketing grain effectively."
The survey also found:
The full survey results are available to download at: cereals.ahdb.org.uk/markets/survey-results.aspx