This year’s harvest is likely to be big despite the poor weather, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) said again today, after first making the claim earlier in the month.
Updated figures from the NFU said the wheat yield this year is likely to rise by 17.1% on last year, while production will be up by 32.6% – because famers have responded well to difficulties.
It said that this increase will be seen because of increased planting and greater yields.
Spring barley production should see a rise of 27%, the NFU said, because of an 18.3% rise in planting.
NFU combinable crops board chairman Ian Backhouse said: “Despite the exceptionally difficult harvest, and losses to yield for later harvested crops, 2008 shows what has been achieved by farmers genuinely responding to markets combined with exceptional growing conditions for cereal crops here and abroad.”
He added: “Crops were protected from the difficult conditions to a great extent, which reaffirms the importance of research and development and science and technology in increasing food production.”
Farmers have also recently said that improved research can help to boost food production in the UK.
