Scotland's 2016 cereal harvest is expected to yield 11 per cent less than in 2015. Scottish farms are expected to produce 2.8m tonnes of cereals this year, including 1.6m tonnes of barley and 1m tonnes of wheat. The total is 4 per cent lower than the ten-year average according to first estimates released this week by Scotland's Chief Statistician.

The figures show this year's fall in production is due to an anticipated 7 per cent fall in overall cereal yields. The total area of land sown has also decreased by 3 per cent, with an estimated 428,000 hectares of cereals grown in 2016. Overall yields are expected to average around 6.5 tonnes per hectare, ranging from 5.3 tonnes per hectare for spring barley to 8.7 for wheat.

Spring barley, Scotland's most important cereal crop, is expected to fall 17 per cent to 1.27m tonnes, the lowest since 1998. Winter barley likewise saw a 15 per cent fall to 345,000 tonnes, with wheat holding slightly more steady with a 7 per cent drop to 953,000 tonnes. Only oats saw positive results, with the crop expected to top 200,000 tonnes for the first time since the 1970s.

Oilseed rape is expected to have a particularly poor year, with yields averaging around 3 tonnes per hectare, resulting in the lowest production since records began in 1992, at 94,000 tonnes.

There had been no catastrophic weather conditions responsible for the poor yields, just a series of less than ideal factors affecting the seed bed, growing conditions and the final harvest.

Market round-up

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 250 store heifers at Ayr on Thursday to a top of £1060 per head and 211.5p per kg to average £776.56 and 191.5p (-9.3p on the week), while 336 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at £1210 and 231.4p to level at £827.75 and 201.6p (-2.7p). Seventy store, B&W bullocks sold to £840 and 150.9p to average £709.50 and 138.9p (+0.2p).

Harrison & Hetherington Ltd had 1025 continental cross suckled calves forward at their annual show and sale in St Boswells on Thursday when heifers sold to £1190 and 260p to average £913 and 210.6p (-£41 on the year), while bullocks peaked at £1270 and 300p to level at £1042.34 and 213.9p (+£5.66).

C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 3517 prime lambs in Longtown on Thursday to a top of £102 per head and 242p per kg to average 171p (+2p on the week).

A massive show of 7234 cast sheep saw heavy ewes sell to £158 for Texels and average £62.91 (-£3.57), while light ewes peaked at £65 for Cheviots and levelled at £37.55 (-£1.25). Rams sold to £165 for a Suffolk and averaged £74.29.