Varieties
(M) Varieties accredited for malting
(P) Variety protected by Plant Breeders Rights
Binalong (P)
A later maturing variety with high yield potential under favourable growing conditions. Binalong has excellent lodging resistance and is hard to beat in high yield situations. It is recommended for early and main plantings. As it has a smaller grain size than newer varieties, screenings can be an issue particularly on later plantings or dry finishes. A semi-dwarf variety, Binalong is short with excellent standability. Binalong is susceptible to the net form of net blotch and this should be taken into consideration. If seed is thought to be infected, seed treatment is recommended.
Dash (P)
A high yielding variety which shows good adaptation to high yield potential situations. Exceptional standability and good levels of resistance to most diseases. Best for early or main planting in good moisture situations. High susceptibility to spot form of net blotch is the main concern in growing this variety.
Fitzroy (P) (M)
Accredited for the domestic malting market Fitzroy is a medium to late-maturity variety with good levels of resistance to leaf rust and net form of net blotch. It is susceptible to powdery mildew and spot form of net blotch. Good standability is a result of it’s semi-dwarf height and moderate straw strength. Fitzroy is best suited to early planting in high yield situations, irrigation and favourable rainfall. Good grain size and high yield potential make it a profitable choice but late planting should be avoided. Seed treatment using a systemic fungicide is recommended to assist in control of powdery mildew.
Gairdner (P) (M)
A West Australian bred malt variety. Good yield potential in high yielding situations. Moderately susceptible to powdery mildew and seed treatment is recommended. A good selection to gain access to the malt market and maintain a high yield potential. Good choice for malting and performs well on early plant.
Grimmett (M)
A reliable malt variety for Queensland and northern New South Wales but has been superseded for yield and disease resistance in most areas. Ability to maintain grain size and yield in stress make it worth considering in the more marginal western areas. Moderately susceptible to spot form net blotch and powdery mildew.
Grout (P)
Released in 2005, Grout is a very quick maturing feed variety with excellent yield potential and large grain size. Good resistance to powdery mildew and net form of net blotch. During the tough 2006 and 2007 winter seasons Grout has shown exceptional performance. It is recommended for all plantings in western New South Wales, western and central Queensland in more favourable eastern areas it is a good choice but on an early plant with good sub soil moisture it is expected that later maturing lines will have a yield advantage. In these eastern areas it should be definitely considered for later plantings and marginal moisture or double crop situations.
Kaputar
Kaputar is one of the quicker barleys on the market. It has a very plump grain and great yield for its maturity. It has consistently performed well in central Queensland. In southern Queensland and northern New South Wales it shows good to average performance with particular adaptation to later planting or more marginal areas. In some high yielding situations, Kaputar has shown severe lodging associated with brittle straw.
Mackay (P)
A medium to medium-quick maturity variety Mackay has great yield potential and good levels of stress tolerance. Good levels of resistance to net form of net blotch and powdery mildew but susceptible to spot form of net blotch. It has performed well in northern and western areas where moisture and time may be limiting. Also a good choice for short fallow or double cropping. Avoid early planting (before mid May) as it tends to go quickly to head if planted early.
Mackay is a taller plant with vigorous early growth, which can result in a lush plant and pre-flowering lodging particularly on an early plant in soft growing conditions. This also makes it a good choice for a fodder or silage and grain option.
Skiff
An old favourite of many growers in northern New South Wales and parts of southern Queensland. Good reliable yield performance and excellent lodging resistance combine to make a reliable and consistent performer. It has been superseded for yield potential by later-released lines, but still seems to perform well on some soil types.
Tallon (M)
A malt accredited variety with good yield potential and a high level of disease resistance. It is best suited to high yielding, higher rainfall areas of the Darling Downs and border regions. Tallon has a limited acceptance into the malt market in Queensland only, and is likely to be discontinued formally as Fitzroy becomes viable.
New varieties
During 2006 and 2007 a number of new varieties were released across Australia. Most of these varieties have little application to the Queensland and northern New South Wales grain producing regions. However there a some which are certainly worth evaluating further. Seed will be limited for 2008 but more will be available in 2009.
Fleet (P)
A quick maturing large-grained variety with good disease resistance. Released as a feed only variety from the southern node of BBA Fleet is not being evaluated for malt. Performance in NVT and other trials indicates it has very good yield potential. The only concern is that it is a tall plant and has demonstrated weaker straw than other quick maturing material in some environments. Certainly worth comparing with other quick varieties such as Grout or Kaputar. Marketed by ABB Seeds.
Hindmarsh (P)
A release from the former Victorian barley program, Hindmarsh is a medium-quick maturity line with very good yield and large grain size which seems to perform well in tough environments. Hindmarsh is under going commercial malt evaluation but will not be accepted for malting in 2008/09. Marketed by AWB Seeds.
Roe (P)
Another quick maturing feed-only variety with excellent grain size demonstrated yield potential in the region, but data to date is only from a limited number of trials. Roe will be more widely trialled in 2008 and further information on its adaptation will be available prior to commercial seed availability in 2009/10. Look out for Roe in trials.
