Scotland's distilling industry is facing an extreme shortage of barley for whisky production, thanks in part to a rise in rapeseed sowings.
Agricultural Industries Confederation arable crops expert Ian Keith told The Scotsman that he was worried about the future for barley stocks when he saw that the acreage used for sowing oilseed rape had increased by ten per cent in December 2010.
Rapeseed has proven popular as it has increased bankable returns, particularly from the biofuel sector.
Mr Keith says these fears have now been realised, with barley supplies now at a "dangerously low level".
He went on to call for more dialogue between barley producers, the grain trade and the distilling industry, in order to protect production for such a vital part of Scotland's economy.
However, Farmers Weekly reported last week that distillers' grains are now six to eight pounds per tonne cheaper than they were one month ago.
Typical Guttridge equipment used in the distilling industry includes:
