There are a total of seven new winter barley and nine new spring barley varieties added to the new HGCA Recommended List for 2012-13, continuing the upward trend in yield seen in recent years.

However, it remains to be seen where the new additions will sit in the commercial arena, particularly the new malting varieties, with malting test results not due until next June.

“Until the guidance comes out next year, it is difficult to assess which of the varieties are likely to be adopted by growers. It’s a case of ‘watching this space’,” says Clare Leaman, cereal crops specialist at NIAB TAG.

“There are the two new malting varieties from last year’s winter barley list that have not yet received IBD malting approval and could fall by the wayside, which could leave an opportunity for the four new candidates.

“However, they are likely to be approved, so it will be difficult for these new varieties to make their mark,” says Ms Leaman.

End market acceptance will be the key to success and the process can take two years, says Barry Barker, Agrii national arable seed product manager. He doesn’t see the latest winter malting barley varieties making an impact for autumn 2013.

“Winsome only took a 2% share last year, so that highlights the difficulty. Agronomic factors are not the over-riding influence, but Talisman and Mezmaar bring some useful rhynchosporium resistance scores to the table and Soloman has good straw strength,” explains Mr Barker.

“If the quality is there, they could definitely attract some interest.”

Yield step

The coolest customer among the new winter feed varieties is KWS Glacier, which is seen as a direct competitor to Cassia. The new two-row variety gave a yield at 107% of control and represents a big step in yield, but has poor mildew resistance.

“Cassia has about 38% of the market, so it will be no mean task, but Glacier has a 3.1% yield improvement in its corner, along with good rhynchosporium resistance and early maturity,” says Mr Barker.

Also on the two-row feed list are Matros and California, which have regional limitations of East and West, respectively. Despite these limitations, Mr Barker sees certain appealing characteristics.

“They will be smaller varieties and with Matros having no BaYMV resistance, a characteristic necessary in the West, it will be confined to that eastern region. Despite this it is ahead of Cassia on yield, so may appeal where BaYMV isn’t an issue.

“California has a good disease resistance profile,” continues Mr Barker. “And like Carat in the past, will be suitable for the pearling market, which can attract a £5-10/t premium that would be equal to a percent or so in yield,” he adds.

Spring barley

There is an increased interest in spring barley for 2013, but the limiting factor will be seed availability and new varieties are no different. With only small areas of C1 seed grown, it won’t be until 2014 or even 2015 until the new varieties will be available on a commercial scale.

“However there are some varieties to note,” says Ms Leaman. “Such as the malting variety Sanette, which is going through malting tests now. It gives a stonking yield (109%), and even if there is no malting approval, it outperforms the feed alternatives.”

A large proportion of the spring barley area is grown north of the border in Scotland, with the malt distilling market predominating. Three varieties recommended last year have really kicked on this year, according to Steve Hoad, team leader of agronomy and physiology at the SRUC.

“Odyssey, Chronicle and Overture gave us a real progression in terms of yield and have set the mark, which is why this year isn’t quite as exciting in terms of new varieties,” he notes.

“Glassel has been recommended with distilling potential, but doesn’t give us anything above the three mainstays in terms of yield and agronomic factors. Malting tests are still ongoing and the key will be the demand from the distilling industry,” says Dr Hoad.

Sanette is likely to be favoured in England for its brewing characteristics, however, the highest rating for ramularia resistance may attract the attention of growers in northern regions, where the disease is likely to be a problem.

“For that reason, along with its high yield, it may be grown as a feed variety here in Scotland,” says Dr Hoad.

“None of the new feed varieties offer the complete package, so it is very difficult to pick out one outstanding variety,” he concludes.