Growers should look to end user for profitable spring barley crop

A phone call to your local merchant is the first step to growing a profitable spring barley crop, says Mike Thompson, of NW Agronomy, Norfolk.

“Choice of variety is dictated more by the end user than any other crop we grow,” he says. “We take more notice of what the maltsters say than the Recommended List.”

Although there are 13 spring malting varieties on that list, NFC Tipple accounts for 80% of his clients’ cropping. “It is by far and away the most popular variety with maltsters, and has been for several years.”

That could change. Syngenta’s Propino is undergoing Institute of Brewing and Distilling tests for brewing use, and looks as though it should find favour with farmers, says Mr Thompson. It has a 4% yield advantage over Tipple – it edges it for lodging resistance and has equally good brackling resistance.

Concerto, listed in 2009, also looks good. “While on paper its yield trails 3% behind Propino, we’ve had some good results in the field with it,” he notes.

“Rhynco is the most common disease threat here,” says Mr Thompson. Half-rate Fandango (fluoxastrobin + prothioconazole) applied at the end of tillering, and again at awns emerging to keep brown rust out, is Mr Thompson’s standard treatment.

Proline (prothioconazole) or Tracker (boscalid + epoxiconazole) plus Comet (pyraclostrobin) will also give good results at “fairly modest” doses.

However, early-drilled crops might need a more robust rate, he adds. “Knock two points off the resistance rating for crops emerging in December. Those emerging in January will also be more susceptible.”

Any seed drilled in January should also be treated for wheat bulb fly, he advises. As with all spring crops, seed-bed condition, rather than drilling date, is key. “Avoid rooting constraints at all costs, otherwise come the first dry spell in April you’ll know all about it.”

Nitrogen should be applied early, usually in equal doses split by a week, to avoid late uptake. Dose is also critical to avoid excess grain N. “On-farm experience is key.”

Mr Thompson rarely uses plant growth regulators. “Brackling resistance is important when selecting a variety – if harvest is delayed, heads can go down beyond the reach of the combine.”