UK: Winter barley seed sales progressing despite continuing pressure on crop prices

Many growers are sticking with winter barley this coming season, with seed sales progressing well despite the continuing pressure on crop prices, reports one seed merchant, Farmers’ Weekly reported on September 27.

“Seed volumes are only slightly down on the same time last year which, considering the year we have had, shows strong and ongoing support for the crop, plus there is still time for further uptake,” says Agrii seed specialist David Leaper.

“For 2-row conventional varieties, the top-yielders Caravelle and Tardis account for more than 80% of sales, but there are several good varieties behind these that have earned their place in grower portfolios.

However, he adds that the demand for winter malting-types, Craft and Buccaneer, is noticeably down due to lack of end-user contracts.

“Interest in hybrids remains strong with Kingsbarn, Quantock and Armadillo leading hybrid variety choice, with growing interest in Inys and the barley yellow dwarf virus-resistant Kestrel.”

Combined Agrii and AHDB trial data shows average yields of 9t/ha across the country, with yields reaching 11.5t/ha and higher, recorded further north and on heavier soils.

“Considering many growers experienced exceptionally wet conditions which made drilling and establishment difficult, the crop proved its resilience, and this has since been underlined by it coping well with the dry conditions experienced in the spring,” says Mr Leaper.

It’s a crop that continues to play a key role in distributing both drilling and harvest workloads, he adds.

“In areas affected by blackgrass, for example, it is often the first cereal to be sown ahead of wheat, which is now typically delayed until October.

“While winter barley may not actively reduce grassweed populations, it can help maintain control, particularly when hybrid varieties are used.”

But whatever the type or variety of barley chosen, there is no avoiding the effects of low grain prices and rising input costs, he stresses.

“Variable costs are now approaching £660/ha and with grain prices hovering around £150/t, gross margins remain challenging at about £620/ha. The additional value of straw, at around £90/t, does add to this, however.”

Growers need to also evaluate the broader rotational benefits winter barley brings and factor this into their cropping decisions. In the right situation, it’s a crop few can rival, Mr Leaper believes.

“In light of the early harvest and last year’s difficult autumn, an early drilling season is expected, and, in this context, winter barley offers a valuable option, especially where grassweed pressure is a concern.

Equally, winter barley is better as a second cereal crop than winter wheat, particularly on medium and lighter soils, where it withstands take-all better.

“Winter barley also remains the ideal entry for oilseed rape owing to its early harvest window.

“And with encouraging OSR yields this season and the crop continuing to lead on gross margin performance, this could be increasingly important in the future.”

While the overall area of winter barley has declined in recent years with spring barley increasingly popular, the dry 2025 season has highlighted the inherent risks of spring cropping, which plays into the winter crop’s strengths, he points out.

“Its suitability for early drilling and harvest, combined with its role in weed suppression and rotational flexibility, make it an important component for risk management and operational efficiency.”

Furthermore, David believes maintaining a diverse cropping strategy remains a sensible approach to mitigating market and seasonal risks and ensuring a resilient arable enterprise.

“Including some winter barley within the rotation, therefore, provides a useful hedge against seasonal uncertainty.

“While winter barley prices remain subdued, the crop continues to hold strategic value within UK arable rotations.”