Oats are becoming forever popular in the British persons’ diet and particularly for breakfast cereal and snack requirements.  Oats in general provide many health benefits, from lowering cholesterol levels, to stabilizing blood sugars.  The demand for food products containing oats due to its healthy reputation, has led to food processors developing new uses for oats.  With the recent health scare in eating slightly crisped potatoes and browned toast, more and more people are turning to other alternative diets such as gluten free, and this entail, will see a rise in the consumption of oats.

AHDB studies show there has been a decline in the production of oats and reduced feed use of oats in most global regions and countries.  The decline in oat production is the single largest driver of the record trade in oats and this week Milling Oats are currently trading at £131/t.  Growers who resist the temptation to follow the spring barley crowd and focus on spring oats instead, could reap the savings of this cheap to grow, ever popular, break crop.  Oats require fewer inputs than most cereals, with spring varieties having even lower costs than winter, and although price has been down in the past years, where there is a specialist market such as health foods, then this will see an increase on the price.  Spring oats are also great for reducing blackgrass, they are an alternative ‘third’ crop for the three crop rule, and are cheap to grow as they need little input.

The AHDB recommended spring oat varieties for 2017 see higher yielding varieties, as well as longer straw length varieties.  If removing straw then potash dressing needs to be increased by 45kg/ha, but other than this, they do only need a general herbicide and fungicide, and a small amount of Nitrogen to reduce the risk of lodging.

Another alternative spring crop which hasn’t become commercialised is quinoa.  Quinoa is a distant relative to Fat Hen from South America.  Its protein content is 13-14% hence why it has become extremely popular in the human health food market and a great alternative to wheat.  Yields are low, at 1-2t/ha, but trades at £275-£350/t and responds well to fertiliser.

To discuss your spring cropping plans, contact Steph at stephemmerson@fcgagric.com or your local FCG Office.