Recommended List survey findings due

Results from a major survey are set to be published after more than 800 people provided their views on the AHDB Recommended Lists (RL) for cereals and oilseeds.

Opinions were gathered as part of a major review to ensure the RL remains a worldclass independent trialling project – helping growers select the most appropriate cereal and oilseed rape varieties for their farms.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board is conducting a full analysis of the responses, with a release of the headline results anticipated in the spring. Recommendations based on these results will then be implemented.

AHDB head of crop health Jenna Watts said: “We are delighted with the response level, which exceeded that of the previous RL review in 2018. I’d like to thank everyone who contributed. Around three-quarters of responses were from farmers, demonstrating their passion for varieties and this coordinated network of variety trials.”

In spring 2022, levy payers rated the RL 4.2 out of 5.0 for importance during a Shape the Future consultation. In response, the AHDB agreed to fund the RL and review it as part of its five-year sector plan.

The review aims to be thorough and cover many aspects, from the type and nature of the trials to the way data is analysed and variety decisions are made.

The AHDB says the results help it direct investment, so the RL delivers the most important variety data.