One of the best things about agriculture in the UK is farmers can grow so many different things. From cereals to fruits and vegetables, and even things like rapeseed, there are lots of options. Oats have become really popular recently, especially for animal feed. We want to have a closer look here to see why so many farmers are now producing them.

The stats

According to figures from AHDB, the planted area for oats in the UK is now an impressive 207,000ha. That is a 13% increase over 2024. Even more notably, it is the highest total since 2020. As a result, overall there are more farmers growing them. The estimate is it could lead to a massive 1-1.2 million tonnes of oats for the season.

The figures show oats have become a popular crop with farmers all over the UK. There have been increases in planted area in numerous regions, including the North of England, Wales, and Scotland. However, some areas have cut back, including Yorkshire and the Humber.

Wondering why oats are so popular at the moment? There are plenty of good reasons to plant them. Notably, they work very well for low input farming. This is fantastic for farmers focusing on environmentally friendly practices. It is also notable that there are lots of uses for oat crops, including animal feed.

Demand

Interestingly, there has been a bit of a dip in demand for oats for human and industrial uses. The AHDB data says consumption was actually down by 5% on 2024. Surprisingly, one of the factors at play here is millers have been able to extract more oat flour from higher quality crops.

While H&I demand is down slightly year on year, there is a lot of optimism for the future. In fact, experts estimate a bigger uptake in the near future. Notably, leading food and beverage producer Danone said they will be moving to using 100% British oats in many of their Alpro products. They want to do more to support agriculture in Britain.

In addition, there has been growth in demand for animal feeds. A big part of this is the increase in availability. Plus, it is well known that oats are a good option for many animals. Crucially, they are a fantastic source of fibre and are a top option for healthy digestion. Sheep and cattle farmers in particular should consider adding them to rations.

Choose high quality animal feed

JS Hubbuck Ltd is a great company to work with because we have extensive product knowledge. It ensures we can suggest the best products for all kinds of situations, including growing crops and raising livestock. At the end of the day, we can be the perfect partner for all kinds of clients.

So, get in touch if you need any details about animal feed. We can tell you more about any type we have in stock, discussing ingredients, nutritional values, and more. You can even discuss with us if you’re looking for feeds for specific types of animals.