This year’s exceptionally dry autumn conditions have given the region’s arable farmers the opportunity to establish cereal and oilseed rape crops in near perfect ground conditions, according to Richard Torr of Wynnstay. The extended spell of un-seasonally dry weather during September and the first half of October has been a welcome change to the two previous autumns which were more challenging.

Many farmers across the West Midlands and border counties had completed drilling their crops by early October, and whilst ground conditions were probably too dry for a brief period, it was still possible to create good seedbeds on the majority of soil types.

As a result, Richard Torr of Wynnstay reports record autumn seed sales. “We had a difficult start to the season, with the wet conditions delaying the wheat harvest. Since then however we have been busy meeting the increased demand for cereal seeds as farmers have not stopped drilling. Even the later harvested crops such as maize and potatoes have been followed with wheat going into near perfect condition.”

Reduced winter barley plantings were anticipated as a result of the poor demand for feed and malting barley, but Mr Torr reports that Wynnstay’s seed sales have actually increased. “Barley seed sales have been buoyant across the west despite reports that sales are down by 10-15% in other regions,” he suggests. “This proves that in the western region winter barley is grown for reasons other than just the value of the grain. The straw is sought after by the region’s livestock farmers, whilst the early barley harvest spreads workloads and allows oilseed rape and stubble turnips to be planted early.”

Mr Torr states that Saffron has once again been the dominant winter barley variety, accounting for over 40% of total sales. The new variety Cassia has had a successful introduction and, as a higher yielding version of Saffron, offers great potential for the future.

For the fourth year in succession Alchemy has been Wynnstay’s biggest selling wheat variety with almost 20% of total sales. “Early concerns about Alchemy sprouting in the ear proved to be less widespread than first thought and the variety has had another consistent year on farm,” Mr Torr says.

Oakley has also sold well despite serious concerns during the summer about its susceptibility to Yellow Rust. “Oakley has yielded well on farm this year and that has generated a strong demand for the variety, making it Wynnstay’s second best selling wheat,” Mr Torr explains.

Duxford and JB Diego have also proved popular due to their ability to produce high wheat yields, but shortages in supply have restricted sales, with both varieties selling out of stock early in the season.

“Battalion has established itself as a very popular choice in the second wheat slot and the introduction of the new feed variety, Grafton, could not have been timed better with its suitability to the early drilling position,” Mr Torr adds.

With lower feed wheat values, Mr Torr reports a market shift towards the breadmaking varieties with farmers aiming to add a premium to their crop’s value. Solstice has maintained its market share whilst the new Group 1 variety, Gallant, has had a successful first year and boosted the area of top grade breadmaking wheat being grown locally.

Improved sales of winter oats also suggest an increase in the area sown locally, with Gerald and Mascani proving to be the two most popular choices. “With so few end buyers, most larger growers have chosen to grow oats on a buy-back contract basis in an effort to avoid being left vulnerable to low market values next harvest,” Mr Torr concludes.

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