Winter barley variety choice has expanded considerably ahead of this autumn, with 14 newly recommended varieties vying for some share of a smaller market.

The number of regional recommendations on the latest winter barley Recommended List shouldn’t be ignored despite the dominance of two-rows Tardis and Caravelle, which are the two leading varieties, advises John Miles, seed technical manager at Agrii.

See also: New oilseed rape varieties offer regional differences

“Look at those new recommendations as they’re largely based on yield, with some varieties performing very well in certain regions and having plenty to offer,” he says.

There are also some good new UK-wide varieties, adds John, who highlights Valencis and Kitty in the two-rows and Inys and Quantock in the six-row hybrids.

© Tim Scrivener

Two-row feed Kitty brings something different, he adds.

“It has the highest specific weight on the list, resistance to both strains of soil-borne mosaic virus, very stiff straw and excellent rhynchosporium and net blotch ratings.”

He thinks Kitty will do very well in the right parts of the country.

“It has given good yields in the North, where its 5 rating for brown rust won’t be a concern.”

Valencis is also a strong contender, he notes, but is up against the dominance of Caravelle in a year that sees the smallest winter barley crop since 2020.

Extra traits

The other feature of the list is the number of varieties with extra traits – notably barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) resistance or tolerance, points out Sarah-Jane Woodcock, senior field trials manager for the AHDB Recommended List, who also flags up the presence of soil-borne virus resistance in a few.

Starting with the six-row hybrids, Sarah-Jane picks out Syngenta’s Quantock and Inys from KWS, as two welcome advances in this sub-group.

© KWS

On 109% for treated yield, Inys has better straw strength, while Quantock has slightly stronger disease resistance.

“Kingsbarn dominates the hybrid market, but it could be time to move on now as there is extra yield to be had,” she suggests.

The other new six-row hybrid of note is Kestrel, which is the only winter barley variety with resistance to BYDV.

“It is also tolerant to wheat dwarf virus and has given very high yields in the West.”

The new six-row conventionals Integral and Sixy have added traits in the form of BYDV tolerance, she continues, with very good lodging scores.

Where they differ is that Integral has a 4 for mildew while Sixy has a low specific weight of 66.7kg/hl.

New two-row feeds include high-yielding Nos Olena from Senova and Agrii’s Russo (East), Heraclis and Rosemary for the North, along with Arion for the East and North. 

Organa from Senova and Limagrain’s Carpenter are both new BYDV-tolerant choices with specific recommendations, along with moderate straw strength but very good brown rust resistance ratings.

“It’s good to see this trait coming through as it helps with sustainability targets and cost control at a time when both are needed,” says Sarah Jane.

Malting

In the malting sector, she highlights Buccaneer as an alternative choice to Craft as it has full approval for brewing, although she advises growers to always check with buyers about their variety preferences.

“Buccaneer offers more yield, at 99%, and has an 8 rating for brown rust,” she says.

“It’s not quite as stiff strawed but otherwise it is a step on.”

Craft is the most popular winter malting choice with an established market having been recommended in 2016, but it can be superseded on yield and most agronomics now.

Electrum, which sits between Buccaneer and Craft, is no longer being supported for malting.