United Kingdom
June 10, 2009
The
National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) has awarded
its Cereals Cup to the malting spring barley variety Quench from
Syngenta Seeds.
NIAB chief executive Dr Tina Barsby presented the award to
Syngenta’s head of barley breeding Paul Bury and Robert Hiles,
global malting barley business manager, at the Cereals 2009
event.
“NIAB’s Cereals Cup is awarded to varieties that show
outstanding merit and value in their marketplace,” said Dr
Barsby. “It was first awarded in 1953 to the spring barley
Proctor. Recent winners have included Einstein winter wheat in
2005, Pearl winter barley in 2004 and Claire winter wheat in
2001. Quench is the first variety since 2005 that has met our
strict Award criteria with its combination of field
characteristics and approved malting quality.”
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NIAB chief executive Dr Tina Barsby (centre)
presents the NIAB Cereals Cup to Syngenta’s head of
barley breeding Paul Bury (left) and global malting
barley business manager Robert Hiles (right) for the
spring malting barley variety Quench. |
NIAB cereals technical manager
Clare Leaman explained that Quench was an obvious contender for
the Cereals Cup, representing a significant step forward in
spring barley, as well as offering growers higher yields and a
range of marketing options including export potential.
“Quench has yields equal to the highest yielding feed varieties
with the bonus of full IBD approval for brewing. It has good
resistance to brackling in the field and shows excellent
resistance to both mildew and Rhynchosporium,” said Mrs Leaman.
Commenting on the Award, Robert Hiles of Syngenta Seeds said:
“We feel truly honoured that the industry has sought to
recognise Quench in this way. Quench already has an unbeaten UK
treated yield figure among spring malting barley varieties on
the HGCA Recommended List for 2009. Now, this latest news should
give extra confidence to growers who are already growing it, or
those who are looking to grow it for the first time.”
Quench is also enjoying considerable success across Europe –
including in Germany, Ireland, Spain, Denmark, Holland, Sweden,
Austria, Poland and Hungary. It is even being tested as far away
as Australia, New Zealand, Kenya and China. This is significant
because if a variety is accepted overseas it can potentially
give growers and end users more markets to sell in to.
“As a breeder, our goal is to produce varieties which the
industry is enthusiastic about. These types of accolade are a
strong indication that we are on the right track,” said
Mr Hiles.
• NIAB Cereals Cup
Varieties of all types of cereals are reviewed on an annual
basis by NIAB technical staff, checking agronomic performance
and end-use suitability. The NIAB Cereals Cup may be awarded to
varieties that are relative newcomers to the market and
represent a step forward for the crop or to those that have
provided a high level of performance over an extended period.
All aspects of performance are taken into account when making
the decision with information from HGCA Recommended List trials,
NIAB Association members as well as the milling, malting and
feeding industries to ensure an overall view is taken in
selecting the winner.
• NIAB
The National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) is a
pioneering plant science organisation based at the heart of the
Cambridge science, technology and university communities and a
thriving UK agricultural industry. It has an internationally
recognised reputation for independence, innovation and
integrity. Founded in 1919, NIAB has over 90 years experience in
the agricultural and food sectors. The Institute employs 161
staff with the main headquarters in Cambridge and regional
offices at Headley Hall in North Yorkshire, Harper Adams in
Shropshire, Seale Hayne in Devon, Boston in Lincolnshire,
Monkhall in Hereford, Itchen Stoke in Hampshire and Wye in Kent.
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