An AHDB report on the condition of this year’s winter crops reveals oilseed rape to be in a much stronger condition than cereals including wheat, barley and oats.

As of the end of November, 73% of winter oilseed rape across Great Britain was rated as in ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ condition.

However, ratings for winter cereals are notably lower, with 57% of winter barley, 52% of winter oats, and 45% of winter wheat rated in a ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ condition.

Once again, the weather has provided planting challenges this autumn, with substantial variation across the country, explains Helen Plant, senior cereals and oilseeds analyst at the AHDB.

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“Most oilseed rape (75%) was planted in August with better weather, while the more difficult autumn conditions had larger impacts on barley, wheat and oats,” she says.

The remaining 23% was drilled in September and 2% in October, though plantings are much lower than previous years, explains Helen.

There has been good establishment so far, with plenty of leaf cover, leading to encouraging prospects, with just 7% of the GB crop rated as poor/very poor.

“Early drilled crops are looking good, while it is more mixed for later drilled crops with slug grazing an issue.

In the West Midlands, OSR has been the best-established crop, with most sown in early August and all establishing very successfully,” reports the AHDB.

However, in the South West 16% of the OSR crop that was drilled has failed to establish. “Overall, the winter OSR crop is very advanced and is looking much better than last year’s crop.”

AHDB’s Early Bird Survey points to a further decline in the OSR planted area, which even the current record yield wouldn’t be able to offset.

But the much more positive start for crops is still very welcome after last season’s challenges.

© Tim Scrivener

Round-up of cropping progress 

With wet weather causing delays to planting, it is estimated that 7% of winter barley, 18% of winter wheat and 11% of winter oats for harvest 2025 are yet to be planted or emerge as of 25 November.

Nonetheless, conditions of emerged winter cereal crops are still better than might have been otherwise expected given the planting conditions this autumn.

Winter wheat

Winter wheat drilling is almost complete. About 27% of winter wheat was drilled in September, 46% in October and 22% in November, leaving just 5% to be planted as of 25 November.

Despite the heavy rain in parts of the UK at the end of September through to mid-October, overall winter wheat condition is better than expected.

As at the end-November, 44% of the GB winter wheat crop was in excellent or good condition, with 9% rated as poor or very poor.

Winter barley

Drilling is almost complete; 54% of winter barley was drilled in September, 33% in October and 9% in November.

Given the heavy rain at the end of September through to mid-October, overall crop conditions are better than expected.

As at end-November 57% of the GB winter barley crop was in excellent/good condition, while 3% was in poor/very poor condition.

Early drilled crops have performed well, but later drillings have been heavily affected by slugs.

Winter oats

A total of 96% of the intended winter oats area has been drilled; 28% drilled in September, 46% in October and 22% in November.

As at end-November, 52% of the GB winter wheat crop was rated in excellent to good condition, with 4% rated in poor to very poor condition.

Oats have established well. One to three leaves have emerged for early planted crops, while some later drilled crops are yet to emerge. Overall, oat crops are looking good.

(Source: AHDB)