Latest news with #AgriculturalandHorticulturalDevelopmentBoard
Agriland
14-06-2025
- Science
- Agriland
The potential impact of yellow rust disease on Irish wheat production
The threat posed by yellow rust disease to Irish wheat crops has been characterised as both complex and evolving by Goldcrop cereal variety manager, John Dunne. He explained: 'Up to this point, yellow rust has been a disease with a very clear geographic footprint in Ireland. It impacts, for the most part, on crops grown along the eastern seaboard. 'And there is a very clear rational for this. The attacking fungus prefers regions that are slightly cooler with relatively higher humidity levels. 'In addition, crops grown on these coasts are more predisposed to windborne fungal spores coming across the Irish Sea form Great Britain. 'If sand can be carried by prevailing winds from the North Africa to Ireland then the challenge of fungal spores making their way across the Irish Sea can be put into perspective very easily.' Higher relative temperatures recorded over seven of the last eight months can also partly explain the rise in the threat posed by yellow rust to Irish wheat crops in 2025. Dunne said: 'I have been monitoring three weather Irish stations since last October, and the data generated clearly shows that – January apart – monthly temperatures have been on the rise, year-on-year. 'This set of circumstances has facilitated yellow rust. And it has also increased the Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) threat impacting on cereal crops.' Yellow rust-resistant genes Adding to all of this has been the confirmed breakdown of the Yr15 gene, which up to this point had been delivering a high degree of protection against yellow rust in a number of winter wheat varieties. The issue was first identified by Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) scientists in north-east England earlier this year. Dunne said he has been monitoring that 'fast-evolving situation' ever since, as Goldcrop grows a number of new crop varieties for AHDB at its Irish trial sites 'We now know that the issue of the Yr15 gene breakdown is now a reality in the UK, Ireland, Denmark, and The Netherlands,' Dunne said. 'But this is a very complex issue. Disease resistance can be provided by a single gene or a number of specific genes working in association with each other. 'Plant pathologists at the UK's National Institute of Agricultural Botany are striving to identify what has actually happened with regard to Yr15's interaction with new yellow rust variants.' According to the Goldcrop representative, these recent developments will be of direct interest to plant breeders and the wheat development programmes they follow into the future. 'The yellow rust issue was a major talking point at our recent open days,' he said. Dunne added that as the situation is still rapidly evolving, it is 'still too early to gauge' how it will impact on Irish wheat production. 'But one thing is already clear. There will be an elevated number of yellow rust spores in the Irish environment over the next two years. 'And Irish tillage farmers will have to take full note of this reality as they plan their future crop protection programmes,' the Goldcrop representative added.
Agriland
08-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
UK animal feed output levels up by 1.4%
Figures just published by the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) confirm a 1.4% increase in animal feed output across the UK. The data covers the ten months up to April 30 this year. During this period, total production of Great Britain's (GB's) animal feed – including by integrated poultry units (IPUs) – has reached 11.4 mega tonnes (Mt). This is up marginally (+1.4%) year-on-year, and up 2.2% on the previous five-year average. The key driver of this climb in feed demand is the cattle sector, and to a lesser extent the sheep sector. Cattle and calf feed demand has seen a 5% rise this season so far, with climbs in both dairy and beef feed production, and improved beef and milk prices supporting growth in 2024/25. Despite a 2.2% increase in total feed production on the back of more competitively priced alternative proteins, AHDB analysts are confirming a lower rate of cereal inclusion this season. As such, total cereals usage (excl. maize used by IPUs) is relatively unchanged on the year (+0.2%). Maize In terms of cereal splits, maize usage has remained firm throughout the season so far, with usage by GB compounders up 37% (109 kilo tonnes (Kt)) on 2023/24 levels. As maize imports were priced competitively earlier in the season, large quantities were bought forward, and as such, firm imports and usage have continued as we head towards the end of the season. In addition, the upturn in maize usage, as well as the lack of domestic supply, has seen wheat used by British compounders drop back 3% (89Kt) year-on-year. Looking ahead for animal feed In the short term, some increase in demand for cereals is envisaged on the back of a more positive cattle and sheep outlook. However, the price relationship between cereals and alternative raw materials will be key to overall usage. Additionally, price movement of imported maize against domestic wheat will be something to watch in the new season beginning in July. Current grain markets Meanwhile, international grain markets have remained in the doldrums this week. Pressure has come from better-than-expected US crop conditions and steady EU export demand. However, Black Sea supplies and any updates on tensions in Ukraine and Russia remain in focus. In addition, 52% of the US winter wheat crop has been rated as being in good or excellent condition, up from 50% a week earlier and above analyst expectations. In terms of development, 83% of the crop has now headed, with harvest well underway in Texas and other southern states. The proportion of the US maize crop rated in good or excellent condition has reached 69% in Monday's report, up from 68% the week before, but in line with expectations.
Agriland
19-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
AHDB: UK-US trade deal could be good news for British beef sector
New trade agreements agreed between the UK and the US could see increased quantities of British beef heading across the Atlantic. Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) analysts have identified the key opportunities and threats associated with the new UK-US Comprehensive Prosperity Deal. According to the AHDB, on the upside, the UK will be able to export up to 13,000t of beef to the US, tariff-free, following changes to an existing tariff rate quota (TRQ). The US has a TRQ for beef imports, within which there are country-specific quotas for Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and Uruguay. British beef The UK, along with Brazil, has access to the US TRQ under the 'Other Countries' allocation, which is 65,005t. In practical terms, however, it has been challenging for the UK to make use of this TRQ for British beef for as Brazil often uses the entire allocation. In 2024, Brazil had made use of the 'Other Countries' allocation by March 28 (it opened on January 1, 2024). This year, the 'Other Countries' allocation was spent in just 17 days after opening at the start of the calendar year, the AHDB said. The proximity of Brazil to the US has also put the UK at a disadvantage in this respect, according to the board. UK beef exporters would be wary of risking sending shipments of beef across the Atlantic only to find upon arrival that the quota allocation has been used up and they would face full tariff rates for British beef to cross the US border. The new UK-US trade deal removes this risk, as the UK would have its own TRQ allocation. But this will not all be one-way traffic. Currently, the US has a 1,000t quota for exporting beef to the UK, which is subject to a 20% tariff. Under the prosperity deal, the 20% tariff will be removed and the US will have a preferential beef TRQ of 13,000t. However, US beef imports will have to meet UK food standards, so the Westminster government's red line on this aspect remains intact. While the quantity of beef imports from the US matches that of beef exports from the UK, there are concerns over the value of imported US beef. Imports of high value, premium cuts – such as strip loins – could potentially have a considerable impact on the UK domestic market. The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) estimates that the UK produces around 3,900t of strip loins which is just under a third of the beef TRQ for the US. Northern Ireland is the best-placed region in the UK to avail of new British beef export opportunities to the US. This is due to Northern Ireland's focus on grass-based beef production systems, which differentiate from US systems. Adding to this is the fact that the deal comes as cattle prices have already reached record highs.
Agriland
13-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Scotch whisky sector welcomes ‘transformational' UK-India trade deal
The Scotch Whisky Association has welcomed what it regards as the 'transformational' trade deal confirmed between the UK and India. Mark Kent, chief executive of the association said that the free trade agreement is a once-in-a-generation deal and a landmark moment for Scotch whisky's access to the world's largest whisky market. Kent said: 'The reduction of the current 150% tariff on Scotch whisky will be transformational for the industry. 'The deal has the potential to increase Scotch whisky exports to India by £1bn over the next five years and create 1,200 jobs across the UK.' Meanwhile, the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) is pointing out that, for some time, the narrative around UK malting barley demand has been somewhat lacklustre. The trend of fewer younger people drinking has capped growth in usage by the brewing, malting, and distilling (BMD) sector. Demand for barley Human and industrial (H&I) usage (mainly made up of BMD demand) of barley in 2024/25 is expected to fall for the second consecutive year, according to the most recent UK cereal supply and demand estimates. At 1.782Mt, barley H&I usage this season is 7% down year-on-year and 4% on the previous five-year average. AHDB analysts also point out that while it is likely that US President Donald Trump's tariffs may impact UK whisky trade, the new deal with India has the potential to outweigh any possible drop in demand from the US. The UK-India trade deal also has the potential to bolster UK malting demand at a time when trends are pointing to a reduced domestic demand. Figures produced by AHDB indicate a total UK barley availability figure of 8.484Mt in 2024/25. This is up 50Kt year-on-year. The estimate of full season barley imports remains at 175Kt, down 26Kt year-on-year but well above the five-year average. From July 2024 to January 2025, the UK imported 124Kt of barley, with the pace expected to slow throughout the remainder of the season. H&I barley usage is estimated at 1.782 Mt, down 56Kt from January's estimate and 128kt lower on the year. The decline year-on year and from January is driven by sluggish BMD demand, which can be partly attributed to the increase in the cost of living. At 4.374Mt, usage of barley in animal feed is relatively unchanged from the previous estimate, but 189Kt higher than in 2023/24. Due to its relative availability and competitive price to wheat this season, barley is featuring in compound feed rations at a higher rate in 2024/25. However, the increase is largely due to a rise in fed-on-farm usage, again, due to its price relative to wheat and pressure on malting barley premiums.
Agriland
07-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
AHDB publishes latest crop development report
The Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) has just published its latest crop development report for the UK and it makes pretty good reading for growers. This has been one of the best recent years for spring planting; drilling of spring wheat, barley, and oats was completed during March and April. However, challenges have been noted with spring oilseed rape drilling, and areas not yet planted are likely to be switched to other crops. Crop development report Overall, disease pressure for all crops remains low. However, the dry conditions are beginning to affect crop development. Some spring barley and spring oat crops also needed to be re-drilled in some areas. Meanwhile, winter oilseed rape has been replaced with spring linseed in some areas of severe pigeon damage. From March to early April, conditions were dry, with UK average rainfall below the long-term average. Eastern England had just 6mm of rain in March, making it extremely dry. April rain By mid-April, rainfall returned, although there were substantial regional differences with the south-west experiencing higher levels, while the west midlands saw comparatively little. Prior to the mid-April rainfall, crop growth had stalled. However, since the rainfall, crops that received rain have begun to develop, and some winter barley is now well ahead of its usual growth stage. In the west midlands, following 10-20mm of rainfall, nitrogen is now being taken up and crops are showing signs of recovery. In the far north of north-east England, conditions remain very dry with no recent rainfall and crops are showing signs of stress. Meanwhile, in the east midlands, barley has been irrigated where water resources are available. Parts of Scotland also received less than 10mm in April. It is also worth noting that the withdrawal of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) in England to new applicants has led to an increase in the retention of very poor crops, according to the AHDB. These crops would otherwise have been taken off production and the land entered into the scheme. In contrast, tillage farmers across the island of Ireland have enjoyed a favourable spring so far, with approximately 60mm of rainfall recorded during the second fortnight of April. Disease levels within Irish crops remain low. However, the growing threat of yellow rust in many parts of the island is giving considerable cause for concern, as is the first confirmation of glyphosate resistance within an Italian ryegrass population.
