Barley shows a lot of promise
Barley shows a lot of promise
PRESTIGE, a new spring malting barley bred by Monsanto, looks set to storm the Continent this year, says cereal product manager, Keith Day.
The first British-bred variety with Europe-wide potential, Prestige obtained registration in Germany, France, Denmark and Holland during January this year. The variety offers good all-round malting performance and excels in adaptability.
Although Prestige failed to make the NIAB recommended list, renewed interest is likely in light of European uptake, he suggests.
"Maltsters like to have one product, one consistent variety for one market. Prestige has proven it is widely adaptable across the whole of Europe. It is early, short and stiff strawed, has good disease resistance and large grains with high tgw and low screenings. Initial results from a 60t Dutch trial are looking very promising." *