AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds levy payers seed research investment

AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds is asking levy payers to submit ideas for research and knowledge exchange (R&KE) activities to help target its investment. Senior Knowledge Transfer Manager R&KE manager Laura James explains the new approach and the first outcomes.

Through the AHDB board, the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Sector Council, consultations, reviews and farmer-led discussions, we always put levy payers needs at the heart of our business.

A high-profile example is when thousands of levy payers told us their investment priorities in 2022 (as part of the Shape the Future process), which confirmed that research is important to the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds sector.

We used the feedback to develop the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds sector plan 2022–2027, which prioritises investment in core research and knowledge exchange (R&KE) activities.

The Recommended Lists (RL), fungicide performance and the Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) are high-profile examples of our core research.

Monitor Farms, Strategic Cereal Farms and Arable Business groups are among our well-known knowledge exchange activities.

The sector plan goes further with the capacity to fund additional work that also speeds up the adoption of innovative and sustainable practices on the farm and in the supply chain.

Critically, the plan states that AHDB should:

“explore how to re-establish farmer-led decision-making on what research we fund.”

In response, the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Sector Council requested a new approach to let levy payers seed its investment decisions.

The approach pivots around a new farmer-led R&KE committee, which:

• Considers levy payer ideas for R&KE activities
• Reviews R&KE research proposals
• Makes R&KE funding recommendations (to the sector council)
• Oversees R&KE activities

A good stock of ideas for R&KE investment is essential for the approach to work, so we have made it easy for levy payers to submit an idea, by emailing: research.ideas@ahdb.org.uk

A new web page provides tips on how to develop ideas and details the process (including timelines): ahdb.org.uk/research-ideas

James Standen, who chairs the R&KE committee, said:

“AHDB has a long history of funding independent research for the cereals and oilseeds sector. The new R&KE commissioning approach puts farmers at the front and centre of investment decisions.

"With their ideas usually considered quarterly, it also makes investment decisions more responsive to evolving priorities. It is an exciting time to be at the forefront of crop research.”

James is the Farms Director for Newcastle University Farms, which includes livestock (dairy herd and breeder finisher pig unit) and arable enterprises. He also farms on a tenanted arable and livestock farm in partnership with his wife.

In addition to being a member of the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Sector Council, James is an appointee on the NFU Combinable Crops Board and has held several other high-profile positions.

Senior Research and KE Manager Debbie Rosa said:

“The AHDB team has captured hundreds of ideas for R&KE investment from levy payers at events.

"The most frequently cited topics, which included crop nutrition, cover crops and crop protection, inspired the first tranche of investment proposals. These were considered at the inaugural R&KE committee meeting in May.”

At the start of 2022, the EU revised the limits for ergot sclerotia and alkaloids in grain. The inclusion of maximum levels (MLs) for alkaloids means that ergot risk will need even closer management.

At present, the levels apply in Northern Ireland, with adoption in UK law being considered. As the industry needs a better understanding of the causal fungus, the R&KE committee and the sector council have announced plans to commission a high-level review to help revise UK ergot management guidelines.

Budget: up to £30,000 (inclusive of VAT).

The R&KE committee and the sector council have commissioned a mix of on-farm demonstrations and evidence reviews to help farmers integrate cover crops in their rotations.

The funding will establish a national network of commercial farms to demonstrate cover crop approaches.

Combined with the evidence reviews, the work will develop independent information associated with many aspects of growing cover crops, including destruction methods, nutrient management implications and long-term benefits.

Most of the activity will get underway this autumn.

Budget: up to £60,000 (inclusive of VAT).

With herbicide-resistance concerns and the adoption of less-intensive cultivation systems, the integrated management of grass weeds in cereal crops is increasingly raised by farmers.

For example, there is interest in pre-planting solutions (such as varietal competitiveness) and in-crop solutions (such as mechanical weed control).

It is a complex topic. The R&KE committee has asked the AHDB team to provide more information on potential project approaches and costs before it can make investment recommendations.

Budget: TBC.