UK: Spring malting barley Firefoxx receives full approval for malt distilling use

Firefoxx, a high-yielding spring malting barley with early maturity, bred by Elsoms-Ackermann Barley, has received full approval for malt distilling use by the Malting Barley Committee (MBC) confirms Paul Taylor, Head of Agriculture at Elsoms Seeds, The Scottish Farmer reported on November 25.

“This is fantastic news for both growers and the distilling market and being a Chanson/Acorn cross and not related to either Concerto or Laureate, Firefoxx offers growers a very different genetic background that brings some much-needed diversity back into the market,” commented Mr Taylor.

“For malt distillers, its low screening levels and key trait of being less prone to skinning than its competitors are another big plus.”

Endorsing Mr Taylor’s assessment of the variety, grower Claire Rhind, of A and K Rhind and Son, near Kinloss in Morayshire, annually grows 750ha of malting barley.

“Working closely alongside my husband Graeme and his parents, with advice from Frontier agronomist Billy MacKenzie, we’ve been growing Firefoxx for three seasons now, and it has proved to be a consistently high yielder, averaging 0.5T/ha ahead of both Laureate and Diablo,” said Claire.

“Drilled on April 1, the crop established quickly and is competing well against our main weed burden of pansies, speedwell, chickweed and annual meadow-grass. To help the crop get off to a good start we’ve been trialling Newton, a bio-stimulant seed treatment, that helps to boost growth in the crops root structure. It also helps increase the crops resilience to drought in lighter soils which proved extremely useful this year – given the hot, dry conditions.

“Harvesting on August 12, the Firefoxx crop averaged 7.5T/ha, slightly ahead of last year’s yield, despite the very dry summer and lack of soil moisture. It stood well, doesn’t brackle and with some nice bold grain samples there were no issues on quality. With our shorter growing season earlier maturity is always desirable, and I can confirm that Firefoxx was five days earlier to harvest than its competitors” confirmed Claire.

Nicky Wilson, Regional Seed Manager (Scotland) for Frontier, has been working with Scottish farmers growing Firefoxx for distilling over the past two harvests.

“Growers tell us that they really like the yield, straw strength and early maturity that the variety offers. From a sustainability perspective we, at Frontier, like the genetic diversity Firefoxx brings to the distilling sector,” she added.

“Now that it has gained full malt distilling approval, we anticipate that demand for Firefoxx will be strong for the 2023 season.”

26 November, 2022