WHEAT QUALITY last harvest was generally better than 2004/05 and the three-year average, according to final results from the Home Grown Cereals Authority’s Cereal Quality survey.

But while Hagbergs and specific weights were improved, proteins were more mixed, with the GB average of 12.4%, down slightly (0.2%) on average, results showed.

Key findings from the survey are summarised below:

Compared to last season’s poor quality crop, there was much less regional variation this harvest, commented HGCA economist, Michael Archer. “This may help reduce supply and demand imbalances across GB.”

The North and Midlands showed the greatest quality improvements, with Hagbergs 7% above the three year average, he said. The Midlands, North and East also showed the biggest improvement in specific weights – 0.5% above the three year average.

Average proteins were up slightly in the South East and South West, but down by as much as 2% in other parts of Britain, the survey found.

Barley generally fared better than normal, although screenings were variable across GB, with 3.3% passing through a 2.25mm sieve on average. Nitrogen content was above average in the South East and South West, while all other areas showed small decreases (apart from Scotland, which remained at 1.6%).

A full copy of the survey is available at www.hgca.com