Initial results suggest Britain's wheat crop is better quality than last season and the three-year average, the Home-Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA) said on Monday issuing provisional results of a cereal quality survey. The results from 18,000 wheat samples collected up to August 31 show specific weights, Hagberg falling numbers and protein content all above last season.
Hagberg falling number, a key measure of milling quality, averaged 284 seconds, the highest level since 2006 and up from last season's 270 and a three-year average of 254. The HGCA cautioned, however, the results were biased towards earlier-cut varieties, which included a higher proportion of quality bread making wheat. "Later results will give a better overall picture of the crop, especially for soft milling varieties," HGCA said. Specific weights averaged 79.8 kilogrammes per hectolitre, up from 77.0 kg in 2010 and a three-year average of 76.5 kg.
"High specific weights may go some way to compensate for lower yields reported in the UK via higher flour extraction rates," the HGCA said. Average protein content was 12.3 percent, up from 11.9 percent last season and a three-year average of 11.6 percent. A dry spring has reduced yields for this year's UK wheat crop with current trade estimates averaging about 14.5 million tonnes, slightly down from last season's 14.9 million.