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The Defra Pest and Disease survey has been running for approximately 50 years and monitors endemic pests and diseases in winter wheat and winter oilseed rape, along with accompanying information about agronomic practice and pesticide inputs to the crop.

The project is led by ADAS and is guided by the knowledge and expertise of a Steering Committee and a Diverse Stakeholder Engagement Group
Pests and diseases are assessed at key time points in the season from approximately 300 commercial wheat crops and 85 oilseed rape crops each year.  The data is anonymised and we never share data in a way that identifies individual sites or participants.  Data is analysed and published via a series of reports throughout the season which will be made available on the website to download.

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ADAS provides ideas, specialist knowledge and solutions to secure our food and enhance the environment. We understand food production and the challenges and opportunities faced by organisations operating in the natural environment

The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs.

ADAS scientists help evidence and guide crop disease management by chemical, genetic and biological approaches. Our expertise covers all areas of disease management on the major crops. We lead multi-organisation collaborative research into disease management and preventation, as well as provide strategic consultancy.  

Oilseed Rape is the most widely grown break crop in the UK. The seed is crushed to produce vegetable oil and the remaining rapeseed meal is a high protein animal feed. 

Invertebrate pests cause problems in agriculture when the level of injury they cause reaches a point where the crop yield is significantly reduced.   

Cereal diseases affecting wheat, barley, oats, rye, triticale and maize can be caused by a variety of factors, including fungal, bacterial or viral infections, pests and insects, and environmental stress.

Oilseed rape diseases can be caused by a variety of factors, including fungal, bacterial or viral infections, pests and insects, and environmental stress.

Wheat is the most widly grown crop in the UK. Nationally yields average around 8 t/ha/