Cereals processing technology

10 Cereals processing technology
Fig. 2.2 Average yield of cereals in Great Britain, 1898–1998. (Source: Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.)
2.1.3 UK regional distribution of the major cereals
Figures 2.3 and 2.4 show the UK distribution of wheat and barley respectively.
Traditionally wheat was associated with the heavy soils of eastern England and
the East Midlands, but has increasingly been cultivated throughout the eastern
side of the country, frequently on lighter textured soils. Winter wheat requires a
combination of adequate sunshine, especially during the grain filling stage
through to final harvest, coupled with an adequate supply of soil moisture. These
requirements become even more important for the production of high quality
grain for human consumption.
Barley is less demanding than wheat both in terms of its soil and climatic
requirements. The crop is frequently associated with light land, chalk and
limestone soils in the south and east of England. In western and northern regions
of the UK the crop is mainly grown as a livestock feed, although the highest
quality malting barley is frequently produced on the light textured soils in
eastern England and Scotland.
Oats are currently cultivated in relatively few areas of the UK. The crop
remains popular in Scotland, the south west, Wales and the Welsh border
counties, although the best quality grain for human consumption is produced in
eastern England.