Australia: Compass becomes highest yielding barley variety

Early results from the Birchip Cropping Group's barley variety trials have put Compass on the map, Weekly Times Now reported on November 28.

The mid maturing variety yet to be made commercially available to growers has topped yields at both the BCG's Quambatook and Watchupga East trial sites.

Compass yielded 5.24 tonnes a hectare at the Quambatook site, ahead of Fathom on 5.1 tonnes/ha, Latrobe on 4.93 tonnes/ha and Hindmarsh on 4.9 tonnes/ha.

BCG research manager Simon Craig said yields at the Quambatook site were exceptional this year, aided by a narrow band of rain in March.

Craig said the site was on fallow and was well managed, though the dry summer and autumn meant it was difficult applying enough nitrogen to get the crops off to a good start.

The Quambatook trial was part of a larger disease tolerance study, with some plots sprayed with fungicide and others left unsprayed.

More results are expected.

Craig said barley crops sown on fallow were generally about one tonne/ha better off than those sown into a stubble.

At Watchupga East, Compass plots yielded 3.49 tonnes/ha, followed by Fathom on 3.36 tonnes/ha, Commander on 3.28 tonnes/ha and Hindmarsh well back in sixth spot on 3.13 tonnes/ha.

Craig said the Watchupga East experiments were part of a time of sowing trial.

The plots were sown on the opening break on May 2, with the first rain three weeks later.

He expected Compass to fall back to seventh or eighth in the rankings with a later sowing date, though the plots had yet to be harvested.

Craig said Compass was more suited to the Wimmera and he would not necessarily recommend it for the Mallee, despite good results this year.

"For Wimmera farmers, who consistently get yields of more than three tonnes/ha, Compass will match Hindmarsh in yield and malt quality," he said.

"In the Mallee, I think compass will drop back to the middle of the pack with a later sowing time.

"I think Fathom will be a better barley for the Mallee. It has good CCN (cereal cyst nematode) resistance and improved drought tolerance."

Seed is likely to be more widely available in 2015.

29 November, 2013