Farmers and agronomists invited to join the RL team

We have issued our annual call for passionate people to join the influential Recommended Lists (RL) crop committees that cover cereals and oilseeds.

The latest recruitment drive is targeted at farmers and agronomists and will fill three vacancies for the next three years (2026 to 2028).

With the flagship project approaching the end of its current five-year phase, crop committee members will maintain business-as-usual activities and shape the direction of the variety-trialling project.

This includes continuing to take on board the recommendations from the most recent major review of the RL.

• Barley and Oats and Other Cereals Crop Committee – one grower vacancy
• Oilseeds Crop Committee – one grower and one agronomist vacancy
• Wheat Crop Committee – no current vacancies

Paul Gosling, who manages the RL at AHDB, said:

“The RL crop committees make technical decisions on behalf of the RL project board. Committee members advise on RL processes and agree which varieties to trial.

“Ultimately, they consider trial data and determine which varieties have the potential to provide a consistent economic benefit and secure recommendation”.

Each committee typically has about 11 voting members (including the chair), which include farmers, agronomists, processors and grain traders.

The committees also include representatives from the RL project consortium – British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB), The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain (MAGB) and UK Flour Millers (UKFM) – and are supported by appointed technical experts, such as independent plant pathologists.

Together, the committees have the technical and commercial experience necessary to advise on variety trials and interpret variety trial data.

Members receive support and reasonable allowances to cover costs during their three-year terms.

The committees meet three times a year:

• In spring – to agree changes to the recommendation and trial processes
• In late summer/early autumn – to propose varieties to be added to the RL trials
• In autumn – to propose varieties to add to or remove from the lists

To apply, please send:

• Your CV
• A cover letter describing your interest in varieties and what you believe you can contribute to the RL

Send applications to Paul Gosling: paul.gosling@ahdb.org.uk (078 1717 0156)

Application deadline: Friday 9 January 2026.

Interviews (online): 15 January 2026.

The latest vacancies follow a recent recruitment drive to appoint a new Chair Designate for the RL project board. The RL team is currently reviewing the applications.

The successful candidate will start early next year, shadowing the current Chair Peter Gregory before formally taking over in 2027.

The new RL (2026/27) will launch on Monday 1 December 2025.

The RL homepage will feature the new online tables, comments on the new varieties and an overview of the key developments.

The RL 2026/27 booklet edition will be available in January 2026.

We will also provide an update on the RL trials at the Agronomy Conference on Tuesday 9 December 2025 in Solihull.