Three new varieties have made their way onto an impressive winter barley recommended list. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine published the lists this week and in total 10 winter barley varieties have been recommended (table 1).

Seven of those varieties claim barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) tolerance or resistance. Five of the 10 varieties are six-row barleys and two of those are hybrids. Belfry is no longer on the list.

The three new varieties are Littoral, Organa and SY Kestrel. SY Kestrel claims BYDV resistance and is a six-row hybrid. Organa is a two-row and Littoral is a six-row.

The BYDV traits are obviously a big plus and have been a game changer when it comes to growing winter barley. Growers have now become so used to these varieties that they are almost a must to grow unless you have a premium market to grow other varieties.

Disease resistance

One thing that stands out away BYDV tolerance on the list is the disease resistance. The three new varieties all score an 8 for resistance to both rhynchosporium and net blotch. This is impressive. Even more impressive is Organa’s whole list of scores of 8 for resistance to all monitored diseases including the other two mildew and brown rust. Littoral falls down on mildew, so it’s something to watch, but not a major concern in a good disease programme, similar to Integral, Cassia and Joyau.

The provisionally recommended varieties look to be head and shoulders above the others on disease resistance, but there are many other characteristics to consider.

Straw

The hybrid varieties are the tallest. SY Canyon tops the height at 96cm, but both hybrids fall down on straw strength and need a strong growth regulator programme.

KWS Joyau stands out with a score of 7 for both resistance to lodging and straw breakdown. Integral, KWS Tardis and Organa hit a score of 7 for resistance to lodging, but the other varieties don’t stand out for straw strength.

Yield and maturity

SY Canyon tops the yield, followed closely by Integral and SY Kestrel.

Newer varieties Organa and Littoral are also among the higher yielders. The earliest ripening varieties are Integral and KWS Joyau, another high yielder. Molly, SY Canyon, Littoral and SY Kestrel follow for earliness of ripening, while other varieties have a score of six.

There is a mix on the list to allow farmers with a lot of winter barley to spread workload throughout the year and at harvest.

Grain quality

Screenings are low across the board with Orcade and SY Kestrel both below 1%.

Orcade is well ahead on Thousand Grain Weight at 63.3. KWS Cassia, which was first listed back in 2011, continues to lead the way on KPH at 68.8, with KWS Tardis, Orcade and SY Canyon close behind.

Seed availability

According to the area of varieties planted for seed this year, Orcade will have the highest level of seed availability at 32% of the area. There is good availability of other varieties though. KWS Joyau, Organa and Integral have good supply, but should still be ordered in time to be secured.