Tips on which winter barley varieties to drill this autumn

摘要

Winter barley variety choice continues to expand, with growers able to pick from 24 recommended varieties,spread across three end-use groups - two-row malting, two-row feed and six-row feed.Starting with the biggest group - the two-row feeds - seed commentators say it is refreshing to see so many good varieties on the AHDB Recommended List, many of which have brought improved agronomics.However, what the seed industry needs is some long stayers, highlights Lee Bennett, head of seeds business at Openfield. He points out that Cassia has been on the market for 10 years and still has a farmer following, despite some better introductions since.Orwell is another "old friend", even with its mildew susceptibility, he says. "There's a comfort factor with varieties like this. They get on to a farm, work well and so they stay there."