Arable
Brewing benefits for dual-purpose spring barley Dual-purpose spring barley Laureate is well-established for malt distilling, but also looks an increasingly attractive option for growers targeting brewing, believes Tracy Creasy of breeder Syngenta, who offers timely agronomy tips.
Syngenta trials have shown how nitrogen fertiliser dose could be optimised to improve yield of Laureate while staying within certain brewing and malt distilling grain nitrogen specifications.
Although the 2021 growing season threw up many challenges, Laureate stood out as a consistent performer once again, says Syngenta cereal variety specialist, Tracy Creasy, producing strong, stable yields in AHDB Recommended List trials. “Consistent performance from a variety is clearly important for growers, but also for end users,” explains Mrs Creasy. “As well as full approval for malt distilling, Laureate also has full approval for brewing on the MBC approved varieties list. “With high fertiliser prices, there could be a lot more interest in growing spring malting barley this season, given its relatively low nitrogen (N) requirements. On the back of its 2021 performance, we feel Laureate has a lot of promise for farmers growing for brewing.” To get the best from Laureate, Mrs Creasy says growers should be aiming to establish about 300 plants/m2. Most spring barley is sown between mid-February and late March, she says, and seed rates will need adjusting according to sowing date. However, whenever it is sown, spring barley should always be planted into fine, firm and well-drained seedbeds, she stresses. “Poor seedbeds will slow down establishment, which could be detrimental as spring barley is only in the ground for a short period. “What is also crucial is to know what % grain N specification your
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maltster is looking for. Generally, while malt distilling requires grain N below 1.65%, domestic brewing markets want 1.6–1.75% grain N, but it is important to check.
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With high fertiliser prices, there could be a lot more interest in growing spring malting barley this season, given its relatively low nitrogen (N) requirements. “When growing Laureate for brewing, a split N dose before GS15 is the favoured practice. You need to take account of your own field situation, but Laureate trials over three years showed N fertiliser dose could be increased to 150kg/ha to increase yield without exceeding a 1.75% grain N brewing threshold. Yield did not increase if N went above 150kg/ha. “When growing Laureate for malt distilling, we suggest lower N doses and earlier application to keep grain N lower; either applying all the N in the seedbed or as a split application. Trials showed that a total N dose of 125 kg/ ha on Laureate helped to raise yield without exceeding 1.65% grain N. However, at 150 kg/ha N, the % grain N became marginal,” she adds.
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To reap maximum grain-filling potential from spring barley, Mrs Creasy says it is also important to maintain green leaf area against diseases, including ramularia. Growing a variety with a strong untreated yield is a good start, she says, and Laureate has delivered well in this area. “Laureate also scores well for mildew resistance, and has good rhynchosporium resistance on the AHDB spring barley Recommended List. However, in common with other spring barleys, brown rust may need managing. “In line with this, the SDHI-based fungicide Elatus Era is a good fit for Laureate. It offers powerful leaf protection and delivers outstanding brown rust activity. Importantly, it is also accepted for use on malting barley by the British Beer and Pub Association. “In a ramularia situation, trial plots have also shown that adding folpet to Elatus Era at T2 gave a positive yield response. “Another point to be aware of is that the high yield potential of modern spring barley varieties inevitably heightens the chance for lodging and brackling. Laureate’s compact straw height can help here, but a later application of ethephon as part of the PGR programme may be justified if the season requires it. A robust fungicide such as Elatus Era can also reduce brackling of barley,” she adds. FG 83420
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