What is the HGCA Recommended List?
The HGCA Recommended List is a guide that provides farmers with a list of high-performing varieties of cereals, oilseeds, and pulses that have been tested and recommended for use in the United Kingdom. It is created by the Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA) in collaboration with industry experts and is updated annually to ensure that it reflects the latest research and developments in crop breeding and management.
The HGCA Recommended List is an essential tool for farmers as it helps them to make informed decisions about which varieties to plant in their fields. The list is based on extensive trials that are conducted across the UK to evaluate the performance of different crop varieties under a range of conditions. The trials cover everything from disease resistance and yield potential to quality attributes such as protein content and baking quality.
Each year, hundreds of different varieties of cereals, oilseeds, and pulses are tested, and only the best-performing ones are included in the HGCA Recommended List. The list provides farmers with valuable information about the characteristics of each variety, such as its yield potential, disease and pest resistance, and suitability for different growing conditions.
The HGCA Recommended List is a valuable resource for farmers, but it is not the only factor they consider when deciding which varieties to plant. Farmers also take into account their own experiences with different varieties, local soil and weather conditions, and market demand for different types of crops. However, the HGCA Recommended List provides a useful starting point for farmers who are looking for high-performing varieties to plant in their fields.
In addition to helping farmers make informed decisions about which varieties to plant, the HGCA Recommended List also plays an important role in driving innovation in crop breeding. By highlighting the best-performing varieties, the list encourages breeders to develop new varieties that can meet the changing needs of the agricultural industry. This, in turn, helps to ensure that UK farmers have access to the best possible crop varieties, which can help to improve their profitability and sustainability.
In conclusion, the HGCA Recommended List is an essential tool for UK farmers that provides them with valuable information about the best-performing varieties of cereals, oilseeds, and pulses. By providing farmers with information about yield potential, disease resistance, and other important attributes, the list helps them to make informed decisions about which varieties to plant in their fields. Furthermore, the list helps to drive innovation in crop breeding and ensures that UK farmers have access to the best possible crop varieties.
How does the HGCA test and evaluate crops?
The HGCA Recommended List is the UK’s leading source of unbiased information on cereal varieties for growers, processors, and consumers. The HGCA (Home-Grown Cereals Authority) tests and evaluates different crop varieties across the UK, providing farmers with essential information about how different varieties perform under various conditions.
The HGCA tests crops in two ways: by conducting trials in multiple locations across the UK, and by using historical data to compare the performance of different varieties over time. Before being included on the Recommended List, a crop undergoes a rigorous evaluation process that can take up to five years. The evaluation process includes:
- Trial testing: A variety is tested in multiple locations across the UK for at least two years to determine its performance under different growing conditions and environments.
- Data analysis: The results of the trials are analyzed to determine aspects such as yield, disease resistance, and quality.
- Agronomic characteristics: The crop variety is assessed in the field for agronomic traits such as height, ear emergence, and straw strength.
- Disease resistance: Crop varieties are tested for resistance to significant diseases, including Fusarium, Eyespot, and Cereal Cyst Nematode.
Once a crop variety has undergone all stages of the evaluation process and has met the required standards, it is included on the HGCA Recommended List, which is published annually. The list provides accurate information about crops’ performance across various soils, climate, and agriculture systems.
The HGCA Recommended List is an essential resource for farmers looking to grow high-quality crops with minimal risk. The accuracy of information it provides means that farmers can make better-informed decisions about which crop varieties to grow and invest in. Growers can use this data to select the best crop varieties to improve their yield, disease resistance, and quality while reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers.
Overall, the HGCA Recommended List is an essential resource for arable farmers as it can help to optimize their production and profitability while also contributing to food security in the UK.
The top wheat varieties on the HGCA Recommended List
If you’re considering planting wheat this season, you might be wondering which variety will give you the highest yield with the best disease resistance and good quality. Luckily, there are plenty of options recommended by the HGCA (Home-Grown Cereals Authority). In this article, we will discuss the top three wheat varieties on the HGCA Recommended List.
1. Graham
Graham is a high-yielding soft wheat variety that is resistant to yellow rust and septoria tritici. It was first added to the HGCA Recommended List in 2010 and has been a popular choice among farmers since then. The grain quality of Graham is excellent, with high specific weight and low levels of sprouting. According to the HGCA, Graham’s yield potential is 4% higher than the average of all soft wheat varieties currently on the Recommended List.
2. Skyfall
Skyfall is a hard wheat variety that is resistant to yellow rust and has good resistance to septoria tritici. It was added to the HGCA Recommended List in 2013 and quickly became one of the most widely grown wheat varieties in the UK. Skyfall’s yield potential is 7% higher than the average of all hard wheat varieties on the Recommended List. It also has high specific weight and good all-round grain quality.
3. Zyatt
Zyatt is a high-yielding soft wheat variety that is resistant to yellow rust and has good resistance to septoria tritici. It was added to the HGCA Recommended List in 2014 and has been gaining popularity ever since. Zyatt’s grain quality is excellent, with high specific weight and low levels of sprouting. Its yield potential is 5% higher than the average of all soft wheat varieties on the Recommended List.
In conclusion, the HGCA Recommended List is an excellent resource for farmers looking to find the right wheat variety for their fields. Graham, Skyfall and Zyatt are three of the top-performing varieties that are currently on the list. By planting these varieties, you can be confident that you’re giving your crop the best chance of high yields, good disease resistance and excellent quality grain.
The highest yielding barley varieties according to the HGCA Recommended List
Barley is a versatile crop widely used for animal feed, brewing, and distilling. To ensure that farmers in the UK achieve the best yields, the HGCA Recommended List is updated annually with the most productive varieties of barley. This list contains a range of winter and spring barley varieties with characteristics suitable for different seasons, locations, and cropping systems. According to the latest HGCA Recommended List, the following are the four highest yielding barley varieties:
1. FARMER
FARMER is a two-row spring barley variety that thrives in moderate regions and light soils. It has robust straw with good resistance to lodging and has been bred for its exceptional grain quality. It produces a high specific weight, low nitrogen grain suitable for the malt and distilling industries.
The variety has an average yield of 110% on the Recommended List, and independent trials have shown that it yields 6% higher than the control varieties. It has an excellent second wheat yield, meaning that it is suitable for a range of rotations, especially those that follow winter wheat.
2. CATHERINE
CATHERINE is a six-row winter barley that is suitable for challenging conditions, such as the North and West of the UK. It has a stiff straw that can resist high winds, and it is resistant to common diseases such as mildew and rhyncho.
The variety has an average yield of 113% on the Recommended List, and independent trials have shown that it can yield up to 102% of the control varieties’ yield. It is an early maturing variety that can be used for grain or wholecrop, making it suitable for use in livestock feed.
3. SIROCCO
SIROCCO is a six-row winter barley variety that is suitable for medium to heavy soils. It has a solid, short straw, and is resistant to lodging, as well as common diseases such as mildew, net blotch, and rhyncho. It has been bred for its high specific weight and grain quality, making it a desirable variety for distilling and brewing.
The variety has an average yield of 109% on the Recommended List, and independent trials have shown that it can yield up to 104% of the control varieties’ yield. It has good resistance to fusarium head blight, which makes it suitable for use in areas where this disease is prevalent.
4. CASSIA
CASSIA is a two-row spring barley variety that is suitable for medium to heavy soils in England and Wales. It has strong straw with good resistance to lodging, and is also resistant to common diseases such as rhyncho and mildew.
The variety has an average yield of 108% on the Recommended List, and independent trials have shown that it can yield up to 103% of the control varieties’ yield. It is suitable for use in the malting industry and can produce grains with low nitrogen content, making it a desirable variety for brewing and distilling.
In conclusion, the HGCA Recommended List comprises a range of barley varieties for different cropping systems, locations, and seasons. The four highest yielding varieties are FARMER, CATHERINE, SIROCCO, and CASSIA. Farmers can choose the most suitable variety for their needs, taking into account factors such as soil type, climate, and market demands.
The importance of using the HGCA Recommended List when selecting seeds for planting.
Continuing on the discussion of the importance of using the HGCA Recommended List when selecting seeds for planting, there are five main benefits that farmers can gain from adopting this methodology.
1. Increased yield potential
The HGCA Recommended List provides a comprehensive list of the top performing varieties of wheat, barley, and oats based on several years of trials conducted across the UK. By choosing seeds from this list, farmers can benefit from higher yield potential and superior performance in terms of disease resistance, lodging resistance, and grain quality.
2. Risk management
Choosing seeds from the HGCA Recommended List also helps farmers to manage the risk of crop failure or reduced yield due to adverse environmental conditions. The list includes varieties that are suitable for different soil types, climate zones, and growing conditions, ensuring that farmers can select seeds that are best suited to their specific farming practices and local conditions.
3. Simplified decision-making
The HGCA Recommended List streamlines the decision-making process for farmers by providing a clear and concise list of varieties that have been tested and proven to perform well under UK growing conditions. This simplifies the process of selecting seeds, reducing the time and effort required for research and trial and error.
4. Support for sustainable farming practices
By selecting seeds from the HGCA Recommended List, farmers can actively contribute to sustainable farming practices. The list includes varieties that have been shown to perform well under reduced input systems, such as those that require less water, fertilizer, and pesticide. By selecting these varieties, farmers can reduce their impact on the environment while still achieving high yields.
5. Access to expert advice and resources
Finally, by using the HGCA Recommended List, farmers can gain access to expert advice and resources that can help them to make informed decisions about seed selection, planting, and crop management. The HGCA website provides a wealth of information on crop varieties, including data on yield, performance, and disease resistance, as well as guidance on best practices for planting, fertilizing, and harvesting crops.
In conclusion, the HGCA Recommended List is an essential tool for farmers who are looking to optimize their crop yields, manage risk, and adopt more sustainable farming practices. By selecting seeds from this list, farmers can benefit from increased yield potential, simplified decision-making, and access to expert advice and resources, all while reducing their environmental impact. Additionally, the HGCA Recommended List is a valuable resource for researchers, breeders, and other industry professionals who are looking to improve the performance and sustainability of UK crops.