STATISTICAL RELEASE
Date: 22 May 2008
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Stocks of cereals held on farms in England and Wales – March 2008
The latest National Statistics produced by Defra on the quantities of cereals held on farms were released on 22 May 2008 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority. This release shows stocks held on farms at 31 March 2008. The key results are shown below.
The own-grown stocks of wheat held on holdings were 3.1 million tonnes at 31 March 2008, 27% lower than at the same time in 2007. Barley stocks were 380 thousand tonnes (9% lower) and stocks of oats were 80 thousand tonnes (42% higher). (Table 1)
On 31 March 2008, 25% of the wheat crop, 12% of the barley crop and 14% of the oats crop remained on the holdings where they were grown. (Table 2)
The amounts of wheat and barley bought in for on-farm use was up by 13% and 11% on March 2007, but remains at less than 0.5% of production. (Table 3)
Survey methodology
The Cereal Stocks Survey March 2008 was a postal survey sent to 1,750 agricultural holdings in England. The results are based on approximately 1,400 usable returns which represents a response rate of 80%.
Holdings were stratified into four groups based on the total area of wheat, barley and oats declared in response to the June Survey of Agriculture and Horticulture 2007. All four strata were sampled at broadly similar rates, with an overall sampling fraction of 15.0%. The sample design for March 2008 is shown below.
Stratum |
Total June 2007 area of wheat, barley & oats (ha) |
Holdings in population |
Sample size |
Sampling fraction |
1 |
> 0 to ≤ 20 |
3,064 |
400 |
13.1% |
2 |
> 20 to ≤ 100 |
5,397 |
800 |
14.8% |
3 |
> 100 to ≤ 200 |
1,998 |
350 |
17.5% |
4 |
> 200 |
1,218 |
200 |
16.4% |
Total |
|
11,677 |
1,750 |
15.0% |
Data analysis and estimation
The response data was subject to rigorous validation checks which identified any questionable values. Any records that had not been cleaned by the results production stage were excluded from the analysis.
The production of totals at an England and Wales level for each survey item required estimation to account for non-sampled and non-responding holdings. The results for cereal stocks of own-grown grain (Tables 1 and 2) were produced using the technique known as ‘ratio raising’, in which the trend between the sample data and ‘base’ (previous response) data is calculated for each stratum. The calculated ratio is then applied to base data for the entire population data to give England and Wales level estimates. The results for bought-in stocks (Table 3) were produced using the technique known as ‘expansion raising’, in which sample data is scaled up within each stratum using the sampling fraction.
Accuracy and reliability of the results
Values for holdings that were not selected or failed to respond are estimated, which adds a degree of uncertainty to the results. The results from this survey are based entirely on responses from holdings in England. Estimates for Welsh holdings use areas from the Welsh June Survey of Agriculture and Horticulture 2007, but rely on the assumption that the relationship between cereal stocks and cereal area is identical in England and Wales. All percentages are based on unrounded figures.
Availability of results
Defra statistical releases can be viewed on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk. This site also shows details of future publications, with pre-announced dates.
Notes to editors
1. Tables 1, 2 and 3 (PDF 30 KB)- Table 1: Stocks of grain held on farms (only grain grown on the holding)
- Table 2: Stocks of grain on farms as a percentage of total production from the previous year’s harvest (only grain grown on the holding)
- Table 3: Stocks of bought-in-grain for on-farm use
2. General enquiries to Farming Statistics, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 3rd Floor, Zone A2, Foss House, Kings Pool, 1-2, Peasholme Green, York YO1 7PX, tel: 01904 455332, email: farming-statistics@defra.gsi.gov.uk. For statistical advice email: statistics@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
3. A National Statistics publication. National Statistics are produced to high professional standards. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference. For general enquiries about National Statistics, contact the National Statistics Public Enquiry Service: tel. 0845 601 3034 email info@statistics.gov.uk. You can also find National Statistics on the internet at www.statistics.gov.uk.
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Page published: 22 May 2008