Damage by Badgers Meles meles to Wheat Triticum vulgare and Barley Hordeum sativum Crops

1. During 1986 and 1987 we surveyed 15 wheat and 15 barley fields for damage caused by badgers, in an area in the south of England where badger density was moderately high (7·5 adults Km-2). In the case of wheat, actual grain losses were estimated after the harvest by comparing the number of unharvested ears remaining in badger-damaged and undamaged areas. Direct observations of 11 radio-collared badgers from four neighbouring social groups were carried out in order to determine how and when crops were damaged. 2. Badgers damaged cereal crops by making paths through them and by flattening patches of crops while feeding on them. Paths and patches were more numerous in wheat than in barley; patches were larger in wheat; badgers commenced feeding on wheat earlier in the season; and feeding bouts were longer in wheat. Of 11 radio-collared badgers which had access to both crops, all fed on wheat but only five fed on barley. We conclude that badgers prefer wheat to barley when both are available. 3. Overall, 0·25% of the crop by area was damaged in the case of wheat and 0·05% in the case of barley. Average grain losses for wheat amounted to 7·21 kg ha-1, or