Malting barley confederation plan whingeing
28 January 2000
Malting barley confederation plan whingeing
GROWERS keen to launch a malting barley confederation were branded "whingeing" farmers by Bob King, chairman of the Maltsters Association of Great Britain cereals committee, this week.
Speaking at the Institute of Brewings malting barley awards in London, Mr King said the idea of the confederation (Arable, Jan 21) had come from a group of growers who were producing low nitrogen barley.
"They believe they are the only part of the supply chain that is having a hard time. But the market has changed dramatically in 10 years and growers have not taken on these changes."
What had upset many farmers this season was that a number had grown Regina as feed barley and had actually produced a malting standard, said Michael Banks of Banks Agriculture.
"Those who got an £8/t premium in the middle of the country are very happy. But if you grow a 1.4% nitrogen barley you expect someone knocking on your door. In fact no one is."
Indeed, low nitrogen barley, of a maximum 1.55% N traditionally used for cask ales, now accounts for less than 10% of consumption.
"That low nitrogen market is not going to come back," said Mr King. "Lager has 60% of the market and ales just 40% and the gap is getting wider and wider. We need these higher nitrogen barleys to meet demand all over the world." *