Winter Barley 2017 Harvest Results – 25/7

The Harvest Results (24 July 2017) from AHDB Recommended Lists (RL) winter barley trials include sites from Teesside, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Warwickshire and Hampshire.

The overall yield average from five trials in 2017 is 9.92 t/ha, contributing to a five year average yield of 9.64 t/ha. Yields in 2017 look to be performing above the five year average, with a difference of +0.28 t/ha seen with these first results, so the trend for good yields is promising for the season, reports AHDB.

In 2017, the six-row hybrid feed varieties Belfry (114%), Bazooka (113%), and Sunningdale (112%) are all performing well, as is the conventional six-row variety, Funky (110%).

The two-row feed varieties KWS Orwell and California have a yield of 105%, with KWS Infinity at 103%.

Two-row malting varieties are judged more on their quality than outright yield. Based on this information, Craft has a yield of 98%, Talisman 93% and SY Venture 92%.

Using the five-year average

When selecting varieties for next season, the five-year average values give a better representation of performance in different seasons.  The six row hybrids Bazooka (109%), Sunningdale (109%) and Belfry (108%) and the six-row conventional variety Funky (107%) are performing well. Looking at the two-row feeds, KWS Orwell (103%) Surge (103%) and KWS Infinity (102%) continue to headline on yield. KWS Cresswell is recommended for the north, and all results to date are from the southern trial sites but it is performing well at 102%.

Five-year average results also provide a better measure of new varieties. The candidate six-row varieties are also achieving good yields in the five-year average figures, with Libra (six-row hybrid) at 107% and KWS Astaire (six-row conventional) at 109%. New candidate malting varieties compare favourably with established varieties based on the five-year figures, with Coref at 98% and Hiverac at 98%.

For full AHDB Harvest Results as they become available, visit the Harvest Results pages.