How Hyvido hybrid barley can address farmers’ top priorities

Grain quality, disease resistance/high untreated yield, consistency of performance: all are among the five most important factors when choosing which winter barley varieties to grow, according to Syngenta’s recent cereal variety grower survey of Farmers Weekly readers.

Of the 172 respondents growing winter barley for harvest 2025, some 60% rated grain quality (specific weight) among the most important factors in winter barley variety choice, says Syngenta hybrid barley portfolio manager, Mark Shaw.

This was closely followed by disease resistance/high untreated yield at 59%, he adds.

Mark Shaw, Product Manager, Syngenta © Syngenta

“Next came consistency of performance and resistance to lodging (both 44%) followed by regional yield performance (41%),” says Mark. “UK yield came in sixth at 38%.

“Clearly yield is important. But what the results also indicate is strong interest in variety characteristics that help crops perform reliably.

“That’s not surprising given the variable weather of recent seasons. Indeed, weather effects, profitability, and grass weeds featured in the top challenges identified with growing winter wheat and barley over the last five years among the wider survey respondents.

“With its hybrid vigour and ability to perform over a range of growing conditions, Hyvido hybrid barley ticks a large number of requirements seen in the survey.

For this autumn, we have the new hybrid barley, SY Quantock, which takes Hyvido to the next level.”

Relating SY Quantock’s features to the survey findings, Mark says as well as its high UK treated yield of 109% on the AHDB winter barley Recommended List (RL) for 2025-26, SY Quantock brings a very high specific weight of 70.4kg/hl.

“Specific weight has been a focus in our Hyvido hybrid barley breeding programme and SY Quantock is a clear illustration of this,” he adds.

Moreover, Quantock’s robust disease resistance ratings – of 7 against Rhynchosporium and mildew, and 6 against net blotch and brown rust – are reflected in its exceptionally high untreated yield of 93% of the treated control varieties on the RL, Mark points out.

© Syngenta

“Looking at SY Quantock’s consistency, we’ve also seen it deliver high yields over different seasons, soil types and UK locations. It also offers good lodging resistance with a PGR and early maturity – two factors that can be important at harvest.

“Over the coming seasons, we see SY Quantock as the next logical Hyvido hybrid to switch to from the current popular hybrid barley, SY Kingsbarn,” he adds.

Survey findings and the characteristics of SY Quantock

*Farmers growing winter barley for harvest 2025 when asked: Which five of the following are most important to you when choosing which winter barley varieties to grow? (please select your five most important options)

^#Figures from AHDB winter barley Recommended List (RL) for 2025-26