The average specific weight for wheat harvested in 2015 is one of the highest on record, according to the provisional results of AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds’ Cereal Quality Survey 2015.

For the 22,004 wheat sample data analysed by 31 August, the provisional average specific weight was 79.8kg/hl. However, current results are predominantly based on wheat harvested in Eastern and South East England and are biased towards nabim Group 1 and 2 milling varieties. Therefore, these results are liable to change as the rest of the GB wheat crop is harvested and analysed.

The current provisional specific weight for wheat matches the provisional result for 2011, which eventually fell to 78.7kg/hl once all results were collated for the final release. 2011’s final average specific weight was the second highest on record, behind the 79.5kg/hl achieved in 1990.

Overall, results for all the key quality parameters are above the 2014 final results, and higher than the three-year average, which excludes data from 2012 given the exceptionally bad conditions that year. The average protein content, at 12.1%, is currently similar to the final 2013 result.

The provisional Hagberg Falling Number (312s) is the lowest provisional result since 2012. As a result of wet weather hitting the country since late August, with around 60% of the national crop left to cut at this point, it is likely that Hagbergs could fall lower as more samples are analysed.

Anna Lockwood, AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds Analyst said: “Final results will depend on how the weather develops in the coming weeks and a more accurate picture will be obtained as more samples are analysed from nabim Group 3 and Group 4. Nevertheless, GB wheat quality is looking promising. The average protein levels for wheat are showing an improvement and, combined with excellent specific weights and good Hagbergs, UK millers have the option to use a greater proportion of home-grown milling wheat in the total grist to meet their requirements this season.” 

The new milling wheat variety, Skyfall, has achieved a specific weight and Hagberg above the Group 1 average, and an overall protein content only slightly below the Group 1 average. Skyfall made up 26% of all Group 1 samples analysed, displacing Solstice from the top three Group 1 varieties making up the overall sample. 

For barley, the provisional results show a higher specific weight and nitrogen content compared with last year, but a smaller grain size.

The 14,685 barley samples analysed by 31 August revealed an average specific weight of 67.2kg/hl, above both the three-year average and provisional results from 2014.  The nitrogen content is slightly higher than both the provisional and final 2014 results, but below the three year average.  Initial screening results indicate a smaller grain size, with the proportion of grain retained by a 2.5mm sieve the lowest since 2012.

The first set of survey results will be updated in early October and the final 2015 Cereal Quality Survey results published in late October/early November.

Wheat

At present, most of the wheat samples collected are from East and South-East regions, which account for 57% and 19% of the whole sample size, respectively. Furthermore, nabim Group 1 varieties account for almost half of the complete sample size. It is therefore important to take into account that the survey is currently biased towards the milling wheat crop and is not a fair representation of the entire GB wheat crop. Please also note that 2012 is not included in the three-year average, as adverse weather conditions during harvest led to particularly poor results, which skew the average.

• The 2015 average specific weight, at 79.8 kg/hl, is higher than both last year’s provisional and final result, and one of the highest on record. The approximate range for 2015 is 74.8 ‒ 84.4 kg/hl.
• At 312s, this year’s average Hagberg Falling Number, is just above 2014’s final result of 308s, although lower than the provisional result in both 2013 and 2014. The approximate range for 2015 is 194 ‒ 420s.
• The provisional average protein content for 2015 currently stands at 12.1%, above both the provisional and the final level seen in 2014, with a range of approximately 9.7 ‒ 14.5%.

Barley

Winter barley samples have dominated the survey so far, making up over half of the samples. Similarly to wheat, a large proportion of samples collected so far are from the Eastern region (46%). Subsequent results are subject to change as further samples from northern England and Scotland are analysed.

• For 2015, the average specific weight, at 67.2kg/hl, is higher than 2014’s provisional and final results. It is also above the three-year average. The approximate range for 2015 is 62.1 ‒ 72.0kg/hl.
• Currently, at 1.58%, the average nitrogen content for total barley samples is higher than last year, although below levels seen in 2011-2013. The current range is around 1.22 ‒ 1.96%.
• For winter barley and spring barley, the average nitrogen content is 1.55% and 1.61% respectively.
• Provisional screenings results indicate a smaller grain size compared with last year, and the three-year average. The proportion of grain which passed through a 2.25 mm sieve was 1.7% (approximate range: 0 ‒ 6.1%), whilst the percentage that was retained by a 2.5 mm sieve was 93.8% (approximate range: 80.4 ‒ 99.9%)

Further details on the AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds Cereal Quality Survey can be found at http://cereals.ahdb.org.uk/markets/survey-results.aspx .