RL crop committees seek new recruits

People with a passion for varieties can get even closer to the Recommended Lists for cereals and oilseeds (RL), thanks to four vacancies on our influential crop committees.

With roles for growers, agronomists and traders, this year’s recruitment drive seeks a broad range of experience to make sure that listed varieties meet the needs of RL users.

It’s an important time to join the RL project team, as 2027 will see big changes, including a new Chair of the RL project board.

This winter, we need to fill vacancies across all three RL crop committees:

• Wheat crop committee: a trader vacancy
• Barley, oats and other cereals crop committee: an agronomist vacancy and a grower vacancy
• Oilseeds crop committee: a grower vacancy

Successful candidates will be in post for the next three years: 2027, 2028 and 2029.

It is an important time to join the RL project team.

For example, 2027 will see:

• A new Chair at the helm of the RL project board
• The start of the next five-year trial phase
• Levy payers vote on areas they want their levy to fund

Members of the crop committees and the RL project board play a key role in decision-making to make sure the RL remains fit for purpose.

Each committee includes:

• About 11 voting members, including farmers, agronomists, processors and grain traders
• Appointed experts who provide technical support, such as independent plant pathologists
• Representatives from the RL project consortium

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

“Together, committee members have the commercial and technical experience needed to advise on variety trials and interpret variety trial data.

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

The RL crop committees meet:

• In spring, to agree changes to the recommendation and trial processes
• In summer, to select varieties to add to the RL trials
• In autumn, to propose varieties to add to or remove from the lists to the RL project board

The application process is simple.

Send your CV and a covering letter, with an overview of your interest in varieties and what you can bring to the RL project, to Paul Gosling:

Email: paul.gosling@ahdb.org.uk

Telephone: 07817 170156

Application deadline: Friday 8 January 2027.

We will hold interviews online on Friday 15 January 2027.

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

Wayne Powell joined the RL project board as Chair Designate in early 2026.

He is the Principal and Chief Executive of SRUC and has research interests that cover plant genetics, genome science, plant breeding and the conservation of genetic resources.

This year, Wayne shadowed the current RL project board Chair, Peter Gregory, to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.

Wayne takes over as the new RL project board Chair on 1 January 2027.

Paul said:

“Peter has chaired the RL project board since 2014. During his tenure, we’ve seen a big change in the RL’s focus, including a marked shift away from yield being treated as king, towards a much greater emphasis on disease resistance.

“Wayne joins the team as AI and precision breeding offer new ways to develop and assess varieties. His role is critical for the continued evolution of the variety-trialling project. All board and committee members have an important part to play to make sure the RL remains relevant to industry.”

At BSPB’s 60^th Anniversary AGM at Draper’s Hall in London on 15 October, Jenna Watts, AHDB Head of Farming Systems and Research, presented Peter with a gift from BSPB to thank him for his service on the RL project board (pictured).

Jenna said:

“Peter is a strong advocate for transparency and collaboration. Underpinned by two major reviews of the RL system, he oversaw a period of significant change and development, which included developing digital solutions for RL data, including the RL app.

“Over the last 12 years, he’s helped to add 438 new varieties across the lists and managed 59 appeals from plant breeders. His leadership, wisdom and unwavering commitment have put the RL in a strong position for the next chapter in its long-running history.”

Peter Gregory and Jenna Watts

We will release RL 2027/28 on Monday 30 November 2026.

The RL homepage will feature:

• The new online tables
• Comments on the new varieties
• An overview of the key developments

Members of the farming press can register to attend the online RL 2027/28 media launch, which will take place on the morning of 30 November 2026, by emailing jason.pole@ahdb.org.uk

The RL 2027/28 booklet edition will be mailed out to subscribers at the end of January.

We will also provide an update on the RL at the 20th Agronomy Conference, which will take place online on Wednesday 9 December 2026.