USA: The American Malting Barley Association updates its list of approved barley varieties for 2017

The American Malting Barley Association has updated its list of approved varieties for 2017, dropping one and adding another, Capital Press reported on January 13.

New to the list is Limagrain Cereal Seeds two-row variety LCS Genie.

“It’s done pretty well in trials in different areas of the Pacific Northwest,” said vice president Scott Heisel. “It looks like it will do well for the farmer. Some of our members say it makes good malt and good beer.”

The organization asks members each year if they would like to add varieties to the list and Genie was requested, Heisel said.

The association is a nonprofit trade association of 80 brewing, distilling and malting companies that use U.S. malting barley.

Gone from the list is the two-row variety Merit, an older variety. It is being phased out in favor of newer varieties, Heisel said.

Sister variety Merit 57 remains on the approved list.

“It’s just a little bit better variety, a little bit more disease resistance,” Heisel said.

The association updates its list to help barley remain competitive with farmers. The crop competes with corn, soybeans, wheat and canola, depending on the region of the U.S., Heisel said.

The industry continually tests new lines from breeders, Heisel said. Large brewers, smaller brewers and distillers have different needs. Some varieties serve niche markets.

Malting barley is primarily grown under contract. Malting barley acres are roughly 75 percent of all barley acres, totaling about 3.5 million each year.

Heisel advises farmers to speak with their purchaser, either a grain elevator or local brewing company, to see which varieties the buyer intends to purchase.

“Definitely have a home for the barley you’re going to produce,” he said. “Don’t just look at our list and say, Somebody’s going to buy it when I grow it.’ Make sure you have a market for it before you plant.”

The 2017 approved varieties are:

Two-row barley varieties: AAC Synergy, ABI Voyager, AC Metcalfe, CDC Copeland, CDC Meredith, winter variety Charles, Conlon, Conrad, winter variety Endeavor, Expedition, Harrington, Hockett, LCS Genie, Merit 57, Moravian 37, Moravian 69, ND Genesis, Pinnacle, Scarlett and winter variety Wintmalt.

Six-row barley varieties: Celebration, Innovation, Lacey, Legacy, Quest, Stellar-ND, winter variety Thoroughbred and Tradition.

16 January, 2017