There were no new varieties added to the 2021 winter barley recommended list.

The list, which was published by the Department of Agriculture this week, has few changes from last year

The hybrid variety Quadra, first listed in 2016, is now removed from the list. The hybrid variety Belfry is rated as having the highest relative yield, closely followed by Bazooka and Kosmos.

The two-row variety Cassia, which was first listed in 2011, remains on top for grain hectolitre weight, and rates well for screenings and thousand grain weight. This is closely followed by the provisionally-recommended two-row variety Valerie.

Bazooka has the highest hectolitre weight of the hybrids, but the highest screenings of all varieties.

Disease

There was virtually no change in rated disease resistance for net blotch and mildew across all varieties.

Provisionally-recommended LG Castings saw a marked drop in rated rhynchosporium resistance, dropping two points from last year.