Winter Barley 2017 Harvest Results – 8/8

The Harvest Results for this week (07 August 2017) from AHDB Recommended Lists (RL) winter barley trials are from one site in Herefordshire and three northern sites in Scotland from the Borders, Fife and Angus.

The overall yield average from these 13 trials in 2017 is 9.64 t/ha, contributing to a five-year average yield of 9.61 t/ha. Yields in 2017 therefore continue to be performing similarly to the five year average.

In 2017, the six-row hybrid feed varieties Belfry (111%), Bazooka (110%), and Sunningdale (109%) are all performing well, as is the conventional six-row variety, Funky (108%).

The two-row feed varieties with the top yields are KWS Orwell (105%), California (105%), KWS Infinity (103%), Surge (102%) and KWS Cresswell, which is recommended for the north, has a yield of 102%.

Two-row malting varieties are judged more on their quality than outright yield. Based on this information, Craft has a yield of 99%, Talisman 95% and SY Venture 93%.

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 (108%) and Belfry (108%) and the six-row conventional variety Funky (107%) are performing well. Looking at the two-row feeds, KWS Orwell (104%) Surge (103%) and KWS Infinity (102%) continue to headline on yield. KWS Creswell which is recommended for the north has performed 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 106% and KWS Astaire (six-row conventional) at 108%. 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 our Harvest Results pages.