On Wednesday, the NFU called for a stronger focus on crop research to help increase crop quality and yields, after its annual harvest survey showed that yields were down across the sector compared to the previous year (though yields of major cereal crops were in line with the five-year average).
 
According to the survey, both yields of wheat and barley, 14.2m tonnes (down 14.9% year-on-year) and 6.6m tonnes respectively, are in line with the five-year average. However, the union said the figures “provide a stark comparison” with other global regions, where production was well up, including Russia and Eastern Europe. Last week, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation announced that global wheat production is set to break records this year, with major increases in Russia and the United States leading the rise in production.

Even so, quality seems to be higher than expected this year, with the latest provisional results from AHDB suggesting that the proportion of nabim Group 1 varieties hitting high quality bread wheat specification is at its highest for 10 years (with 46% reaching spec).

The NFU survey also sowed Britain’s oilseed rape crop area is now in its fifth year of decline and with poor yields, production has been reduced to 1.7m tonnes (down 32.5% year-on-year), well below the five-year average of 2.5m tonnes.

In light of the findings, the farm union has called for research to help arable farmers to contend and remain competitive in the face of volatile weather and low prices.

In August, the Chancellor promised to maintain funding for farm support and research projects previously guaranteed under EU programmes until 2020, when Britain is expected to have completed its withdrawal from the bloc. However, the treasury has come in for criticism from devolved governments who warn that this guarantee only covers a fraction of their funding commitments, and industry, who warn that it provides only temporary succour and still leaves serious questions about policy priorities in an independent Britain. Since the Brexit vote, research institutes have also expressed fears that immigration policy in an independent Britain could make the country a less desirable destination for researchers from elsewhere, affecting the world-class work currently undertaken here.

NFU: Cereal growers should be concerned
 
On Wednesday, NFU combinable crops board chair Mike Hambly said, “A harvest that has seen lower than average yields should leave all cereals producers concerned, as global competitors… see yields rise,” a situation which Humbly blamed on a lack of access to ‘new technology’.
 
He said, “There has been a long-term decline in the focus on crop research. We need to put resources back into research focusing on solving problems that farmers deal with on a daily basis. British cereals farming is performing at a good level right now but it could easily slip behind the pack if we don’t focus our efforts in the right areas. British arable farmers have faced stiff global competition for many decades but the restrictions to production in the UK and price volatility in the global marketplace is a concern.
 
Though prices of oilseed rape remain higher than wheat, there have been five years of decline in the planted area for the crop. Mr Hambly added, “Oilseed rape is an important crop for the sector that has good demand across a wide range of products including food, cosmetics, plastics, energy and animal feed. Farmers currently do not have the confidence to continue planting similar areas of oilseed rape, particularly in the eastern side of the country. Something is not right there.”
 
He continued, “With a high global yield across cereals generally and supply outstripping demand the only way we are able to compete is to lower the cost of our product per tonne. With average yields not improving and input costs rising, farmers are planting crops now that may be sold at a loss for the fourth consecutive year.”

Farmers taking research requirements into the field
 
Discussing the pressures facing farmers, Tom Macmillan, director of innovation at the Soil Association spoke to Farming Online about farmer-led research, which is already going on in the UK. The Innovative Farmers network aims to find solutions to problems farmers are experiencing, by organising ‘field labs’ of groups of farmers, who pursue research in common. The process, which became popular in South America, is being supported in the UK by the Soil Association, alongside a number of research organisations and charities.

Tom said, “We’re seeing pest, weed and soil problems prompt more and more farmers to  consider their crop choice, rotations, use of cover crops and the introduction of livestock. The current pressure on arable margins is forcing farmers to investigate all options for ensuring the viability of their cropping enterprises. The arable groups running field labs through Innovative Farmers – a network that gives farmers funding and research support to do practical trials– are certainly going down this route.
 
“The big priority for crop research, and the biggest gap in funding, is this kind of hands-on work, helping farmers find cost-effective solutions that work for their business. Topic areas include finding non-chemical means to establish  spring crops after cover crops and a range of farm trials to identify cost effective ways to improve soil organic matter levels. It may now be time to consider the potential of lower input production systems as a way of reducing  input price volatility.”
 
Commenting on the NFU’s survey, he added, “This survey looks at crops grown and yields, not profitability, so it is hard to tell how far it reflects the challenges farmers are facing or the steps they are taking to address those challenges. It would be great to see next year’s survey dig a bit deeper, to get a better picture of the changes farmers are actually making and what new research needs those bring – it may tell quite a different story. What’s already clear is that more focus on practical and sustainable farmer-led research has a vital part to play.”