Western Australia
August 19, 2014
DAFWA senior development office Blakely Paynter, has urged barley growers to research the agronomic and market potential of new varieties thoroughly before deciding which one to sow in 2015
Barley growers, spoilt for choice with the release of several new malting and feed varieties, have been urged to do their research to decipher the optimal seed to sow.
Four new malting varieties have been released in the past three years, including Bass, Commander, Granger and Scope CL. Another three potential malting varieties, Compass, Flinders and La Trobe, are being bulked up this year for commercial planting in 2015.
Growers can learn more about the agronomic performance and market development underway for these new varieties at several upcoming spring field days.
Department of Agriculture and Food senior research officer Blakely Paynter advised growers to research both the production and market potential for each variety thoroughly before making a selection.
“With all these new varieties available growers need to have a good look at each of them and think about what the market wants,” Mr Paynter said.
“While the new varieties to come online next year show much potential, it could still take another two to five years of testing in the international marketplace before malting premiums are determined.”
The Grains Industry Association of Western Australia recently released its Malting Barley Variety Receival Recommendations for 2015-16.
The 2015 Barley Variety Sowing Guide (Bulletin 4860), produced by the department in partnership with the Grains Research and Development Corporation, will be published next month.
“These publications will assist growers to select the most suitable malt, food or feed variety for their location, as well as assess the market direction for each malting variety,” Mr Paynter said.
The barley landscape has dramatically over the past three years.
Malting barley was once the grade of choice for growers, but now the food variety Hindmarsh comprises nearly half of barley plantings.
Mr Paynter said with the availability of the new varieties, a big swing back to malting barley was expected.
“With this in mind growers would be wise to check that their intended production level was in line with market demand,” he said.
“They need to be aware that if they grow a malting variety that is not established in the international marketplace, it could be a few years before any premiums or even segregations for malt quality grade barley are secured.”
Growers will be sent a copy of the 2015 Barley Variety Sowing Guide in spring, while the Barley Malting Variety Receival Recommendations for 2015-16 can be downloaded from giwa.org.au
Growers can learn more and see variety and management trials at upcoming department and Grower Group Alliance spring field days.
Watch local media for details, including the Esperance Downs Research Station Field Day, hosted by DAFWA and SEPWA, on 11 September, the WANTFA Spring Field Day on 2 September and the Great Southern Agricultural Research Institute Field Day on 9 October.
Barley variety and agronomy research is supported by the department and the GRDC.
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