UK: Promising new barley varieties might provide new options for growers - expert

Promising new barley varieties or perhaps a switch in type might provide new options for growers in Scotland in the North, Scottish Agronomy’s Andrew Gilchrist was quoted as saying by Farmers Guardian on March, 8.

Despite a lack of new malting varieties coming through there had been some progress, he said.

“The trade has had concerns about the lack of varieties coming through but Odyssey, Chronicle and Overture are non GN types that are a step up in yield over Concerto. They tick the box for both brewers and distillers and should gain full approval.”

Glassel had also looked promising in Scottish Agronomy trials but it was at least one year away, Mr Gilchrist said.

Skinning was a cause for concern. “Our worst variety is our most popular, Concerto, but I have concerns with Odyssey, Chronicle and Overture too. We don’t fully understand the triggers and it appears that any form of plant stress or extensive wet weather can initiate the problem. It’s one of the reasons why Optic is still there.

“It may be a GN producer, albeit at low levels, and it’s bottom of our list for yield but it still is a reliable performer in terms of quality, which is why the trade like it. It might be on a ‘slippery peg’ but it’s far from gone,” he said.

In terms of other non-distilling varieties, Mr Gilchrist said Sanette had looked promising in Scottish Agronomy trials.

“Sanette is pushing the yield barrier even further, and treated yields top the pile compared to other ‘barn filling’ feed varieties. It also has a good rating against ramularia.”

He questioned why Scottish growers were turning their back on winter feed varieties. “In the past feed barley grain has been de-coupled from wheat but in recent years that gap has closed. We have varieties that with good agronomy can achieve yields close to wheat. Although yields suffered last year, winter barley was less impacted by the weather and soil conditions than wheat.

While it was not possible to draw too much from last year’s trials, said Mr Gilchrist, he did highlight Retriever and Escadre. “Retriever might be an ugly variety but it has the yield potential to match six row types. Six-row variety Escadre also looked good, and offers an excellent combination of high yield potential and exceptional specific weight. Also, it has impressive resistance against rhynchosporium and net blotch,” he added.

08 March, 2013