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HGCA survey shows cereal quality improvement on 2008 results

The final 2009 HGCA Cereal Quality Survey (CQS) results show that Great Britain (GB) harvested better quality wheat and barley crops this year which could have implications for the UK supply and demand balance this season.

Michael Archer, HGCA Senior Cereals and Oilseeds Analyst commented: "Although quality has improved it must be remembered this is in comparison to a very poor season in 2008. Longer term averages suggest 2009 quality is only a little above normal."

This year's results should also be placed in the context of large carryover stocks for barley and wheat, totalling around 3 million tonnes, of which the quality is unclear.

"For barley recent talk has focussed on supplies that may be directed towards intervention, although the maximum moisture content allowed for barley deliveries is 14.5%, much lower than the 16% average estimated by the CQS," added Mr Archer.

Summary of GB Cereal Quality Survey results for 2009 crop:

Wheat

• For wheat the final results show a lower moisture content, higher Hagberg Falling Number, higher specific weight and higher protein compared to 2008. A similar story can also be seen on a regional basis.
• Hagberg Falling Number for wheat is 263 seconds, up 35 seconds on last season and around 9 seconds above the three year average given the low levels recorded over the last two seasons.
• Average specific weight shows an increase of 1.4kg/hl on last season, to 76.9 kg/hl.
• Average protein content of 11.6%, an increase on 2008's 11.3% but 0.4% lower than the three year average. 
• Average moisture content this year is seen at 15%, lower than last year's 16.1% as GB experienced less rainfall during key growing periods this year.
• Although the 2009 harvest started with some heavy rainfall across the regions through July and into early August, the southern and eastern regions had more settled and dry weather for the rest of the harvest.

Barley

• For barley the final results show a lower moisture content, higher nitrogen content and higher specific weight compared to a year ago, with similar trends within regions.
• Average barley moisture content is 16%, compared to 16.7% last season.
• Average specific weight of 66.3 kg/hl, higher than last season's 65.8 kg/hl.
• Average nitrogen is seen at 1.61% slightly higher than last year's 1.58%.
• Screening results indicate that 1.5% of grain passed through a 2.25mm sieve on average, which is lower than last year and the three year average. In contrast, the percentage of grain retained by a 2.5mm sieve on average for is 95%, which is higher on both 2008 and the three year average.

Further details on the HGCA Cereal Quality Survey can be found at www.hgca.com/markets in the survey results section, as well as the updated 'Cereal Quality Calculator'.

This tool allows users to estimate the proportion of the crop that meets a defined quality criteria.

Release date: 10^th November 2009

For more information contact:

Caroline Slay, HGCA Press Officer

T: 024 7647 8719

E: caroline.slay@hgca.com