Cereal and oilseed rape harvest: Methodology

Glossary

Area: the amount of area (in hectares) that was used to grow a particular crop, where the crop was intended for combine harvesting or the production of grain or oilseeds. This area may include some crops that were eventually not harvested, or whole-cropped.

Hectares: the official measurement of agricultural land. One hectare is 10,000 square meters or roughly the same as a full-size rugby pitch.

Production: the total amount of cereal grain and oilseed rape that is combine harvested from the planted area, measured in metric tonnes. This tonnage does not include the weight of straw, whole-cropped or other plant material, which is produced as a by-product or used for other purposes.

Yield: the amount of produce, weighed in tonnes, that is harvested per hectare of land.

When discussing production and area we are referring to estimated totals. When discussing yield we are referring to estimated averages.

Whole cropped: Whole crop cereals are harvested whole (i.e. without extracting the grain) and are used as a source of animal feed or for industrial use.