Farmers warning of wheat harvest blight

According to the National Farmer's Union, the overall harvested area on farms is set to be almost 30 per cent less than in 2012. Figures have already shown that the area planted with winter wheat was down by a quarter on the previous year and the NFU is blaming bad weather including floods and snow.

If the results of the snapshot poll, which quizzed 76 farmers covering 16,000 hectares (40,000 acres) of land, are repeated nationally, wheat production will be below average for the second year in a row.

Last year's wheat harvest had lower volumes and quality because of weather extremes, with months of drought followed by downpours and flooding.

A separate NFU survey revealed nearly half of arable farmers (45 per cent) are less confident about the prospects for their businesses in the next 12 months compared with last year.

Rob Alderson, who farms at Upper Walton Farm in Onibury, near Craven Arms, planted 80 acres of wheat this year.

He said: "In Shropshire we have heavy soil and that combined with the bad weather has made it very difficult to grow wheat.

"A third of my crop didn't grow at all, a third grew to a poor standard and third grew to a crop which has potential.

"It's been a very sombre job being in the wheat fields and as I drive around the county I can see other farmers are in the same situation.

"It has left me with all the normal expenses. Planting the seed was expensive and the machinery costs and contractors bills are ever increasing. I rent a part of my farm. This leaves me with my rent to pay and but not the crop to pay for it."

Oliver Cartwright, NFU Shropshire spokesman, said: "A myriad of factors have hit arable farms this year, from the extreme weather through to news that there will be restrictions on neonicotinoids (neuro-active insecticides) to come in the future.

"Our poll is a snapshot but it is extremely worrying that the planted area remaining viable for 2013 harvest on those farms looks set to be 29 per cent smaller than last year. If this plays out nationally, we will be below average production for the second year in a row. The saving grace in past years has been crop protection technology which can help maintain yield potential and all important grain quality by guarding against pests and ensure crops are more drought and flood resistant."

But lobbying has forced restrictions on the use of pesticides known as neonicotinoids, which are being banned over concerns about their impact on bees, and fungicides known as triazoles are also facing potential restrictions, he said.

It is "hardly surprising" that short-term confidence is so low under those circumstances, Mr Cartwright said.