New crop committee members appointed

Following the launch of the Recommended Lists 2013/14 on Monday, HGCA has announced four appointments to its Crop Committees, responsible for assessing and recommending new varieties to the Recommended List (RL) Board.

Mark Leggott, who farms at two sites near Boston and Newark, has been appointed as a grower member to the RL Wheat Committee.

The different soil conditions at the two farms mean that Mark has experience of growing a wide range of wheat varieties. He recently finished six years’ service with HGCA’s Research and Development Committee and currently sits on the NFU Combinable Crops Board.

Patrick Stephenson will join the Wheat Committee representing agronomists.

Patrick has over 30 years’ experience, mainly in Yorkshire, and has won awards including Reed agronomist of the year 2003 and Farmers Weekly Arable Advisor of the year 2007 - 2008. He currently sits on the BASIS executive committee and was also chairman of the AICC from 2004 – 2007.

Robert Law has joined the Barley and Oats Crop Committee as an oats specialist but also has extensive experience of growing barley. Robert brings a great deal of knowledge to the committee as a grower and as a host of crop trials. Since 1985, he has grown Conservation Grade oats for Jordan’s cereals and has chaired the Conservation Grade Growers’ Forum for the last five years.

HGCA is also pleased to announce that David Colville has been re-appointed to the Oilseed Rape Crop Committee – Northern region. David has served successfully on the committee for the last six years.

Dr Simon Oxley, HGCA Senior Research Manager responsible for the Recommended Lists, said: “These appointments bring a wealth of experience to the committees and we look forward to working together in future to ensure the ongoing integrity and development of the RL as a fundamental resource for the cereals and oilseeds industry.”