Growers, grain traders and cereal pathologists asked to steer the RL

AHDB has issued a call for growers, grain traders and cereal (oilseeds) pathologists to join its influential Recommended Lists (RL) crop committees.

With the RL team implementing the findings from its latest review of the variety trialling project, it is a fantastic time to be a crop committee member to influence the project’s direction.

Currently, there are five vacancies that need to be filled this winter.

• Barley and Oats and Other Cereals Crop Committee vacancies – one grower and two grain traders
• Oilseeds Crop Committee vacancies – one grower and one independent pathologist

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

“Each winter, we look for passionate people to join our crop committees to be at the heart of the recommendation of cereal and oilseed varieties for the UK. Next year is the 80-year anniversary of the first Recommended List. RL crop committee members will respond to the findings from the latest RL review to ensure the project continues its evolution and delivers appropriate variety options in an impartial, timely and cost-effective way.”

The RL crop committees:

• Agree on agronomic and quality definitions for varietal recommendation
• Select candidate varieties for trial
• Propose new varieties to add to the RL

Committee members meet three times a year – generally, May/June, August/September and November.

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

Applications, cover letters (describing the applicant’s interest in varieties and what they believe they can contribute to the RL) and CVs should be sent to Paul Gosling: paul.gosling@ahdb.org.uk

The application deadline is Friday 19 January 2024.

The anticipated interview date via MS Teams (online) is Tuesday 6 February 2024.

For further information on these opportunities, please call Paul Gosling on 07817 170156.

AHDB launched the online edition of RL 2024/25 on 27 November 2023.

Members of the RL team will be at CropTec on 29–30 November 2023 in Warwickshire to discuss the latest developments.

Latest updates on the RL review and the harvest 2023 trials will be presented at the online AHDB Agronomy Conference on 7 December 2023.