The importance of the supply chain working together, particularly during this challenging growing season, was highlighted at the AHDB Milling Wheat Conference which took place recently in Cambridgeshire.
The event emphasised the role of growing quality wheat, taking in the latest market information, best practice in growing and views from individuals and organisations throughout the milling wheat supply chain from breeders to growers, hauliers to millers.
Dr Sarah Clarke, ADAS Research Scientist, said: “Variety choice and nutrition are both key to achieving bread-making quality. Growers can benchmark and learn more about their quality from entering the YEN Wheat Quality Competition and could think about carrying out tramline trials for nutrition programmes to see what could be achieved on their farm.”
Joe Brennan, Policy and Research Officer for the National Association of British and Irish Flour Millers (nabim), presented on the new regulations for ergot. He said: “Changes to ergot regulations will impact how millers treat this contaminant and growers need to be aware of what they can do to minimise the risk of rejection.
“These regulations are a sign of the times, and the whole chain needs to keep working together to advocate for rules that ensure the food safety of cereals and their products, while remaining practical for each sector.”
At the conference, the ADAS Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) Wheat Quality Award winner for harvest 2019 was announced as James Perry of Aldburys Farm Contracting, Essex, whose entry was sponsored by AHDB. The awards, sponsored by nabim, recognise excellence and innovation in achieving high yield and quality in Group 1 milling wheats.
The YEN Wheat Quality Award winners are:
First Place: James Perry, Aldburys Farm Contracting, Essex. Sponsor: AHDB
Second Place: Ian Rudge, Bedfordia Farms, Bedfordshire. Sponsor: Hutchinsons
Third Place: Trevor Pierce, R Sternberg Farms, Kent. Sponsor: Bayer
