AHDB Recommended List Overview
Are you looking for the best cereal crops for your farm? Then, you might want to consider the recommended varieties in the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Recommended List. Created by experts who specialize in testing and evaluating cereal crops, this list provides comprehensive information on the performance of different varieties based on various criteria such as yield, disease resistance, and quality attributes.
But before we delve into the specific varieties, let’s take a closer look at the AHDB and what makes its recommendations valuable for farmers.
The Role of AHDB in Agriculture
The AHDB is a non-departmental public body funded by a statutory levy on agricultural products such as cereals, milk, and horticulture. Its main goal is to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the UK agriculture and horticulture sectors by providing knowledge, tools, and resources to farmers, processors, researchers, and policymakers.
One of the ways the AHDB achieves its mission is through conducting research and development projects and disseminating its findings to stakeholders. The Recommended List is one of its flagship initiatives that enable farmers to make informed decisions about which crop varieties to use based on scientific evidence.
The Criteria for Varietal Evaluation
The AHDB uses a rigorous system for selecting and testing crop varieties that takes into account various factors that influence crop performance. Every year, the organization publishes a series of reports that summarize the results of varietal evaluation trials conducted across the UK.
Some of the criteria used in the evaluation process include:
- Yield potential: the expected crop yield under optimal conditions.
- Disease resistance: the level of resistance to common crop diseases such as Fusarium, Septoria, and Mildew.
- Pest resistance: the level of resistance to pests such as aphids and slugs.
- Quality attributes: the characteristics that affect the commercial value of the crop such as protein content, specific weight, and grain size.
- Maturity: the length of time from planting to harvest, which can affect crop performance under different weather conditions.
Based on these criteria, the AHDB creates a ranking system that classifies crop varieties into different categories, from the highest performing to the lowest. The organization also provides detailed information on each variety, including its strengths and weaknesses, so farmers can choose the one that matches their specific requirements.
The Benefits of Using AHDB Recommended Varieties
There are several advantages to using crop varieties recommended by the AHDB.
- Improved crop performance: by choosing a variety that suits your farming conditions, you can potentially increase your crop yield and quality, reduce pest and disease pressure, and enhance the resilience of your farm.
- Reduced risk: the AHDB’s thorough testing process minimizes the risk of crop failure or unexpected outcomes, which can save you time, money, and resources in the long run.
- Access to expert advice: the AHDB has a team of crop experts who can provide guidance on which variety to choose, how to manage it, and how to optimize its performance.
- Support for industry innovation: by supporting the AHDB, you contribute to the development of new, more resilient, and sustainable crop varieties that can benefit the entire agricultural sector.
Overall, the AHDB Recommended List is a valuable resource for farmers who want to make informed decisions about which cereal varieties to plant. By choosing a variety that meets their specific needs and conditions, farmers can potentially increase their profitability, reduce their environmental impact, and contribute to the development of a more sustainable and competitive UK agriculture.
Top Recommended Winter Cereal Varieties
When it comes to winter cereal varieties, the AHDB Recommended List is a great resource for farmers to choose the right variety for their needs. Here are the top recommended winter cereal varieties:
1. Skyfall
Skyfall is a popular winter wheat variety that has been on the AHDB Recommended List since 2015. It has consistently performed well in trials, with high yields and good disease resistance. This variety is also known for its excellent grain quality, making it a great choice for milling and baking.
According to the AHDB website, Skyfall has a very good resistance to both yellow and brown rust. It also has a high untreated yield potential, making it a strong option for farmers looking for a reliable and high-yielding crop.
2. Costello
Costello is a winter wheat variety that was added to the AHDB Recommended List in 2019. It has quickly gained popularity among farmers due to its high yields and excellent disease resistance.
According to the AHDB website, Costello has very good resistance to septoria and yellow rust. It also has good resistance to fusarium and a high untreated yield potential. This makes it a strong option for farmers who are looking for a variety that can withstand a variety of common diseases and produce a high yield.
Another advantage of Costello is its strong straw that provides good lodging resistance. This is important for farmers as lodging can reduce yields and make harvesting more difficult. With Costello, farmers can be sure that their crop will remain upright and easy to harvest.
3. Graham
Graham is another winter wheat variety that has been on the AHDB Recommended List for several years. It is known for its excellent disease resistance and high-yielding potential.
According to the AHDB website, Graham has very good resistance to both septoria and yellow rust. It also has good resistance to fusarium and eyespot, making it a strong option for farmers who are looking for a variety that can withstand a variety of common diseases.
In addition to its disease resistance, Graham is also known for its good grain quality and good straw strength. This makes it a versatile variety that can be used for a variety of purposes, including milling and animal feed.
4. KWS Kerrin
KWS Kerrin is a winter barley variety that was added to the AHDB Recommended List in 2018. It has quickly gained popularity among farmers due to its excellent disease resistance and high yield potential.
According to the AHDB website, KWS Kerrin has the best disease resistance of any winter barley variety on the Recommended List, with very good resistance to both rhynchosporium and net blotch. It also has good resistance to mildew and good straw strength, making it a strong option for farmers who are looking for a reliable and high-yielding crop.
Another advantage of KWS Kerrin is its excellent grain quality, making it a great choice for malting. With KWS Kerrin, farmers can be sure that they are producing a high-quality crop that can be used for a variety of purposes.
Overall, the AHDB Recommended List is a great resource for farmers looking to choose the right winter cereal variety for their needs. By selecting one of the top recommended varieties, farmers can be sure that they are producing a high-yielding, disease-resistant crop that meets their specific needs.
Recommended Spring Cereal Varieties
Spring cereals are an essential crop for farmers, and the AHDB Recommended Lists offer guidance on the best varieties to grow. They are tested for their agronomic properties, such as yield, disease resistance, and quality. These lists are updated annually, and farmers can use the information to choose the varieties that suit their needs. Here are three recommended spring cereal varieties:
Ambassador Spring Barley
Ambassador is a popular spring barley variety that has excellent malting properties. It has a high yield potential and is resistant to major barley diseases. It is also an early-maturing variety, which makes it suitable for areas with short growing seasons. Farmers can use it for malting or feed purposes, depending on market demand. This variety is well-suited for brewing companies that require high-quality malt. Ambassador has been on the AHDB Recommended List since 2012 and is a top-ranked variety in terms of yield potential.
Zulu Spring Oats
Zulu is a popular oat variety that has been on the AHDB Recommended List for several years. It has a high yield potential and is resistant to common oat diseases such as crown rust. Zulu has a good combination of grain quality and agronomic performance, making it suitable for both human consumption and animal feed. It also has a short straw, which helps to prevent lodging and improve harvestability. Zulu is an excellent choice for cereal growers looking to diversify their crop rotation and tap into the growing demand for oats.
Costello Spring Wheat
Costello is a top-ranked spring wheat variety that has been on the AHDB Recommended List since 2014. It has a strong disease resistance profile, including resistance to yellow rust and septoria tritici. It also has excellent yield potential and good grain quality, making it suitable for milling or feed purposes. Costello is an early-maturing variety, which makes it a good option for areas with short growing seasons. This variety is well-suited for cereal growers looking for an alternative to winter wheat or for those who want to spread their risk across different types of wheat.
In conclusion, the AHDB Recommended Lists provide valuable information to cereal growers looking to maximize their yields and produce high-quality crops. The three varieties discussed above are just a few examples of the many well-tested options available to farmers. By selecting the best-suited variety for their location and farming system, growers can ensure a successful harvest and a profitable season.
Recommended Cereal Varieties for Specific Purposes (such as feed or milling)
If you’re looking for cereals suited for specific purposes such as feed or milling, then you’re in the right place. Below are the gems of the recommended list of cereals that are ideal for specific uses.
Cereals for Feed
Cereals for animal feed should have high levels of starch, energy, and overall nutrition value. The ideal cereal for feed should also be easy for the animals to digest, making it suitable for various animal groups such as pigs, poultry, and ruminants. AHDB Recommended list that is suitable for feeding livestock includes;
- Winter Barley- This is excellent as a source of energy for cattle and sheep
- Wheat- wheat is suitable for poultry and pigs as it has a high energy value and excellent digestibility.
- Oats- these are highly palatable and digestible making them ideal for horses and cattle.
- Triticale- Triticale is known for its high protein content and is an excellent choice for livestock, especially pigs and poultry.
Cereals for Milling
Cereals used for milling are required to have qualities that make them ideal as an ingredient for bread, pasta, and beer. The ideal milling cereals should have high protein and gluten content as well as a low moisture content. The recommended cereals for milling include:
- Spring Barley – This is an excellent choice when it comes to making beer. It has a high enzyme content, contributing to the malting process.
- Winter Wheat – this cereal is ideal for making bread as it has a high protein and gluten content, which ensures good bread-making quality.
- Winter Barley – Winter barley is also suitable in the making of bread, and it comes in handy in the brewing industry in making whiskey.
- Spring Oats – Spring oats are ideal for making porridge, oatmeal biscuits, and other baked goods.
Cereals for Distilling
Cereals used for distilling are desired to have a high concentration of sugars. These sugars are derived from the starch in the cereal grains, which are fermented to form alcohol. The cereals for distilling include:
- Winter Barley- It is highly suitable in the production of whiskey as it has high sugar levels that are ideal for distilling into whiskey.
- Winter Wheat- wheat is a preferred variety when it comes to the making of vodka due to its low protein content.
- Spring Barley- Spring barley is also preferred in the production of whiskey as well as gin and other spirits.
- Maize- maize is an excellent source of fermentable sugars. This makes it ideal for distilling into bourbon, whiskey, and other spirits.
Cereals for Baking
Cereals used for baking should have excellent baking quality, including good mixing properties, desirable dough strength, and texture. The ideal cereal when it comes to baking should also have a rich aroma and flavor. The cereals recommended for baking include:
- Winter Wheat- This is a perfect cereal when it comes to making cakes and biscuits. It is also used when making bread as it has a high protein content that contributes to bread-making quality.
- Barley- Barley is also an excellent choice when it comes to baking biscuits and bread. The winter varieties are more prefered in baking as they have a higher protein content.
- Oats- Oats are highly versatile, and their flour is used in making unique types of bread, oatcake biscuits, and other baked goods.
- Rye- Rye is commonly used in making sourdough bread, but it is also an excellent flour for biscuits and cakes.
How the AHDB Recommends Cereal Varieties and What to Consider
Are you planning to grow cereal crops on your farm? Choosing which variety to grow can be overwhelming, given the vast selection available in the market. Fortunately, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) in the UK has created a recommended list of cereal varieties that UK farmers can refer to when making their selection. The AHDB recommended list provides valuable information on which cereal varieties are likely to perform best in the UK, and what factors to consider when selecting the best variety for your farm.
The AHDB’s recommended list of cereal varieties is compiled through extensive testing and trials. The list consists of cereals that perform consistently well in terms of yield, quality, and disease resistance. To qualify for the recommended list, cereal varieties must meet the following criteria:
1. Yield Performance
The yield performance of a cereal variety is a crucial factor to consider when choosing which variety to grow. The AHDB takes yield performance very seriously when compiling the recommended list. To qualify for the list, cereal varieties must demonstrate excellent yield potential under UK conditions. The varieties are tested in multiple trials across various regions in the UK to ensure that they can perform consistently in different climatic conditions across the country.
2. Quality
Quality is another significant factor to consider when selecting a cereal variety to grow. The AHDB takes into account various quality attributes, including protein content, specific weight, and Hagberg falling number. The recommended list consists of cereal varieties that have excellent quality characteristics that meet the demands of various end-users, including millers, brewers, and bakers.
3. Disease Resistance
A cereal crop’s ability to resist diseases is critical to the success of any farm. The AHDB recommended list consists of cereal varieties that have good disease resistance. The varieties are tested for resistance to various diseases, including rusts, mildew, and fusarium, among others. The recommended varieties are preferred because they require fewer fungicides, which ultimately translates to lower production costs and less impact on the environment.
4. Proven Performance
The recommended list consists of cereal varieties that have had proven performance over several seasons. The varieties have been tested and proven to offer consistent yields and quality attributes. The AHDB recommended list allows UK farmers to choose cereal varieties that have a track record of success, which ultimately lowers the risk of crop failure and lost revenue.
5. Cost-benefit Analysis
Finally, when selecting which variety to grow, it’s important to consider the cost-benefit analysis. The AHDB recommended list provides farmers with valuable information on the cost of production, including seed and fungicide costs, and expected revenue based on average yields and market prices. Understanding the cost-benefit analysis will enable farmers to make informed decisions when selecting which variety to grow to maximize their profits.
In conclusion, the AHDB’s recommended list of cereal varieties is an essential resource for UK farmers planning to grow cereal crops on their farms. The recommended list consists of cereal varieties that have been tested and proven to offer excellent yield potential, quality attributes, disease resistance, proven performance, and cost-benefit analysis. By referring to the recommended list, UK farmers can maximize their profits and ensure sustainable crop production on their farms.
