Dealing with the aftermath of one of the most difficult harvests for many years will require the whole chain from farm to feed mill and retail outlet to work together, say grain industry leaders.

The Agricultural Industries Confederation’s (AIC) national Arable Marketing Committee agreed on the need for flexibility by farmers and the trade. AIC’s Paul Rooke said: “This means working together, as closely as possible, to both understand what quality exists and then to find the most appropriate destinations at home or abroad. Extending contract periods may be just one example of the flexibility needed.”

“Only through whole chain collaboration will the best outcome, and best return, be achieved from the 2012 crop,” said Mr Rooke.