Big shake-up in approach for rec lists
Big shake-up in approach for rec lists
By Charles Abel
MAJOR changes to the way the recommended lists of cereals and oilseeds are produced have been announced by HGCA subsidiary Crop Evaluations Limited.
The new lists will contain less detail, less regional information and fewer newcomers. But they will also cost less to produce, will be based on more trials data, reflect market demands more clearly and will only include new varieties if they offer clear economic benefits over existing varieties.
"The old system served us well for 50 years and we see the new system very much as an evolution, not a revolution," says CEL recommended lists manager Jim McVittie.
Grower lists
"But the old lists were first and foremost grower lists. That was right and proper when we were growing a lot of feed wheat for a secure market. But we are now looking at a very different marketplace, where a quarter to a third of our cereals typically have to leave the country, at lowest cost or for an added value outlet."
A sophisticated database will allow growers and advisers to analyse trials results via the internet. "Every farmer will be able to have his own recommended list," enthuses Mr McVittie. "You could look at how different varieties do as first wheats, drilled in mid-October on a medium loam, for example."
The better-than criteria should limit me-too varieties, he adds. "Those do nobody in the industry any good. We do not need eight or 10 varieties covering the same sector." Higher yield, lower costs, better marketability or more consistent performance will now justify inclusion.
More account will be taken of industry views on end use, particularly processability. "The ease with which a malting barley can be processed may over-ride hot water extract, for example."
Treated yield
Trials protocols will focus more on treated yield and less on untreated. "Untreated yield per se does not tell us very much, it is the disease data coming from those plots that can be useful to advisers." Such information will be available on the web-site.
Total spend on variety testing should drop 10% in real terms over five years, largely thanks to competitive tendering for trials work. Data from closely monitored breeder trials will be included in RL decisions for the first time.
Regional information will be played down, mainly because variations between years are more significant, says Mr McVittie. For winter wheat and barley the regions will be split between the wet west, dry east and the north. *
RL SYSTEM CHANGES
• Varieties must offer an economic benefit over existing ones for recommendation.
• More market-oriented.
• Less geographic spread.
• £1.32m budget.
• Whole industry consulted.
• Evolution, not revolution.
Panel with Cereals 2002 logo
Full details of the new recommended lists system will be on show at Cereals 2002 on June 12 and 13, near Sleaford, Lincs. Further details from: 024-7685 8277 e-mail job@rase.org.uk www.cerealsevent.org.uk
Find out more
Full details of the new recommended lists system will be on show at Cereals 2002 on June 12 and 13, near Sleaford, Lincs. Further details from: 024-7685 8277 e-mail job@rase.org.uk www.cerealsevent.org.uk
• Varieties must offer an economic benefit over existing ones for recommendation.
• More market-oriented.
• Less geographic spread.
• £1.32m budget.
• Whole industry consulted.
• Evolution, not revolution.