Profit potential for hybrid barley
HYBRID FEED barley could provide a better gross margin than winter wheat, according to latest trials results.
The Farmacy trials in Lincolnshire found that one hybrid barley variety out-yielded three winter wheat varieties by over 1t/ha and gave the highest gross margin.
The results are summarised below:
| Variety | Yield | Price (£/t) | Gross margin (£/ha) | Nitrogen (kg/ha) |
| Hybrid barley (Boost) | 11.88 | £68.00 | £588.84 | 165 |
| Group 1 wheat (Xi19) | 10.85 | £78.50 | £565.40 | 260 |
| Group 2 wheat (Einstein) | 10.42 | £67.00 | £427.08 | 260 |
| Group 3 wheat (Robigus) | 10.70 | £65.00 | £452.67 | 180 |
While the results do not mean growers should make a wholesale switch from wheat, they do highlight barley’s potential when grown as a first cereal, said Farmacy’s Pamela Chambers.
“People get used to putting these crops in poor situations – and they get poor results.” If barley is grown as a first cereal, results could be much better, she said.
Barley can also help spread harvest workloads and provide an ideal entry for oilseed rape, she noted. “For someone struggling to get oilseed rape in, barley is a good option.”
