The winter barley market is heating up
This season a raft of new winter barley varieties are being recommended offering higher yields than current market leader KWS Tardis, as well as offering protection from new crop challenges.
The soil-borne disease Barley Yellow Mosaic Virus (BaYMV) Type 2 is becoming an increasing problem in winter barley. We have been aware of - and protected against - the impacts of BaYMV Type 1 through plant protection and genetic improvements but Type 2 remains relatively unknown.
It can be difficult to spot and is often misidentified as a nutrient deficiency. It can also be catastrophic, reducing yields by up to 50%. The only way to know if you have the virus is with soil testing.
Once plants are infected, there is no control method available. Symptoms show in early spring, following a cold spell and infection occurs in distinct patches, which increase in size over successive years.
High-risk factors include previous infection, movement of infected soil and growing a susceptible variety.
BaYMV Type 2 was first identified in the South West during the growing season of 2022 and 2023.
Key points for BaYMV Type 2:
Soil borne disease
Remains in the soil for 20 years
Can only be identified through soil testing
Can cause up to 50% reduction in yields
Variety choice is key
BaYMV type 2 resistance
The only effective means of controlling these viruses is with resistant cultivars. If you suspect or have identified BaYMV within your fields and wish to continue growing barley, choose a variety with Type 2 resistance.
Currently there is only one, Valerie, on the AHDB Recommended List. However, there are now three new candidates coming through for Recommendation this harvest which also offer this level of protection.
Aretha winter barley
One stand-out candidate is German variety Aretha. Aretha is bred by German plant breeder Streng and brings a new range of German genetics to the UK. It shows yield benefits of 3% above KWS Tardis in this country, but it shows the highest yields of any variety in the west at 105% compared to KWS Tardis at 100%.
As well as being high yielding it’s an early maturing variety and if recommended, will sit on the AHDB list with the earliest maturity of any winter barley. Aretha also boasts the tallest straw, an attribute important to our members. This creates a canopy capable of smothering out weeds, while providing high straw yields. Aretha has good standing with good scores for lodging.
Finally, Aretha has BaYMV Type 1 and 2 resistance that will become extremely important to growers as awareness and understanding of the diseases grows.
A limited amount of Aretha winter barley seed will be available this year as we have early access but we advise ordering early.
Seed availability
In terms of seed availability, the message is clear, order early to secure your variety of choice.
Following the wettest autumn since 1837, wheat and barley seed areas are down 12 to 15% across the UK with larger declines of 30% in winter bean seeds. This is before higher than average crop losses due to higher disease and grass weed burdens, seen in early inspections.
But it’s hoped the UK will still have enough seed across the major species and will not need to import again like this spring.
However, we advise ordering early to ensure you get your seed of choice as the most popular wheat and barley varieties will run short.
There is also a warning about winter oats with many seed houses currently reporting very limited seeds. They are continuing to grow in popularity and big premiums are being paid for oats meeting milling specification.
It’s an easy crop to grow in low input systems and is gaining traction as demand continues to increase.
For more information on seed varieties ring the Grassland & Forage Line on 01769 576232 or email grassland.forage@molevalleyfarmers.com.
