AHDB/HGCA Cereal Quality Survey September 19, 2013 12:00 am As expected the initial AHDB/HGCA Cereal Quality Survey shows much better results for both wheat and barley compared to the 2012 harvest. The dry conditions has meant Hagbergs recorded so far are the highest since 1990 at 334 seconds, compared to 237 seconds last year. Other results for the wheat harvest show an average specific weight of 77.8kg/hl compared to a final figure of 69.6kg/hl in 2012 and more in line with pre 2012 figures. Protein content is lower than last year at 12.4% but is above the three year average. These results are expected to change, they are from 17,720 samples collect up to 30th August and are mainly from the East of England where Nabim 1 and 2 varieties are more typically grown. These results will be updated in October, with the final results available in November. The 2013 barley harvest is similarly encouraging, with specific weights at 67.9kg/hl the highest since 1999. However, screening results are still not back to pre-2012 levels. The percentage of grain passing through a 2.25mm sieve is 2% (2009-2011 average was 1.6%) and grain retained through a 2.5mm sieve is 92.7% (2009-2011 average was 95%). The dry conditions has led to one of the lowest moisture content since 2005 at 14.6%. Initial Nitrogen content is higher than the final results of last year and the 3 year average at 1.66%. About half of these initial results obtained to 30th August were for spring barley, the final report in November will contain more results from spring varieties and also more from Scotland.
