Crops

Potato seed and ware exports from the UK could be interrupted in a Brexit no deal scenario and there are signs that seed potato growers are looking to export potatoes before the transition period ends on December 31.

Sowing spring beans this autumn could help solve the problem of short winter bean seed stocks caused by the difficult growing season of 2020, according to new research by PGRO.

The pound continues to drive domestic markets as it reacts to the latest Brexit updates

With growers dropping oilseed rape from their rotations, a shortage of bean seed and uncertain returns from oats and niche crops in the absence of a contract, finding a suitable break crop is proving a challenge.

Availability of seed for popular winter wheat and barley varieties and winter beans, in particular, is likely to be tight this autumn due to reduced plantings and lower yields.

AHDB has released the first quality figures for the UK cereal harvest. The AHDB Cereal Quality Survey results examine quality in samples up to mid-August, just before the widespread rainfall later that month.

The final curve ball lies with South American weather – some more water is needed or there could be more oilseed fun and games in the New Year.

Global trends are likely to influence UK wheat prices this season as the UK looks to imports after a small harvest.

Many potatoes are in pretty good shape given the growing season they have had, but growers will be less impressed with the prices they are getting as Covid-19 continues to dominate the market.

Sugar beet growers are disappointed by the price on offer for the crop in the 2021 contract - £20.30/adj tonne for a one-year contract and £21.18/adj tonne for a three-year contract.