AS expected, Scotland's chief statistician confirmed yesterday that both the area of cereals grown and the yield are likely to have fallen, leading to a decline in production for 2018.

Around 420,000 hectares of cereals are estimated to have been grown this year, three per cent lower than 2017. This drop in area, combined with an estimated six per cent decrease in yield, is leading to predictions of a nine per cent fall in production.

The statistics show that 2018 was a difficult year with unfavourable weather conditions experienced in winter 2017 as well as spring and early summer. However, crops that were sown later in spring have generally done better than those sown earlier.

Spring barley, Scotland's most important cereal crop, is expected to see a fall in yield of around 10 per cent compared to the previous year and production will fall by seven per cent. This is mainly attributed to the poor performance of spring barley sown earlier in the year.

However, winter barley yields are expected to rise slightly, and the quality of winter barley has been good this year which has also helped. But production is expected to fall by around 18 per cent because of a predicted decrease in area sown, which was a result of the difficult weather conditions in late 2017.

Other estimates for crops, such as wheat, oats and oilseed rape are estimated to have performed similarly or slightly fallen compared to 2017, affecting yields, areas and production. Overall, this has led statisticians to anticipate an overall drop in total cereal production of around 2.5m tonnes.

Market round-up

C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold five prime heifers in Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 240p per kg and an average of 170p, while a prime bullock fetched 185p.

There was a plainer offering in the rough ring when 43 beef cows sold to 140p and averaged 99p, while 47 dairy cows peaked at 120p and levelled at 83p.

The firm also sold 921 prime lambs to a top of £84.50 per head and 191p per kg to average 165p (-6p on the week).

A good show of 499 cast sheep saw heavy ewes sell to £107.50 for Texels and average £60, while light/export-type ewes peaked at £62 for Cheviots and levelled at £41.

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 684 prime lambs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £81.20 and 183.3p to average 162.5p (-6.6p).

Cast sheep were also cheaper on the week with 140 heavy ewes selling to £136 for Beltex crosses and averaging £74.52, while 274 light ewes peaked at £49.50 for Blackfaces and levelled at £34.92.