The National Institute of Agricultural Botany has awarded its Cereals Cup to the malting spring barley variety Quench from Syngenta Seeds.

NIAB chief executive Dr Tina Barsby presented the award to Syngenta’s head of barley breeding Paul Bury and Robert Hiles, global malting barley business manager, at the Cereals 2009 event.

“NIAB’s Cereals Cup is awarded to varieties that show outstanding merit and value in their marketplace,” said Dr Barsby. “Quench is the first variety since 2005 that has met our strict award criteria with its combination of field characteristics and approved malting quality.”

NIAB cereals technical manager Clare Leaman said the variety represented a significant step forward in spring barley, as well as offering growers higher yields and a range of marketing options including export potential.

Robert Hiles of Syngenta Seeds said: “We feel truly honoured that the industry has sought to recognise Quench in this way. Quench already has an unbeaten, UK-treated yield figure among spring malting barley varieties on the HGCA Recommended List for 2009. Now, this latest news should give extra confidence to growers who are already growing it, or those who are looking to grow it for the first time.”

• Quench has progressed to full approval for brewing on the institute of Brewing and Distilling variety list.