A newly recommended specialist export spring barley comfortably outyielded leading winter malting standard, Pearl on a Suffolk farm in 2002, topping 3t/acre (7.4 t/ha). It earned a premium of £20/tonne over feed. And it was almost £30/ha cheaper to grow than the winter crop.

Not surprisingly, Grahame Taylor, who farms the 380ha (940 acres) at Ivy Lodge, Bredfield near Woodbridge, is increasing the area drilled to Prestige substantially for the 2003 harvest. By increasing the amount of nitrogen applied he also intends to widen the yield advantage over his winter barley in the coming season.

“I was amazed when the spring barley came in at over 3 tonnes with a superb sample of big, bold grain,” he said. “Especially as Pearl had a dreadful year, only producing around
2 t/acre (under 5t/ha). Analysis showed Prestige grain nitrogen averaging 1.65%. So with the UK malting specification at 1.65% - 1.85% we have scope to increase N applications by 10-15 units/acre without jeopardising our market potential. This should enable us to boost the yield to 3.25t/acre (8 t/ha).”

Apart from the barley – most of which is now spring sown – cropping on the clay-land farm, which includes some lighter soil near Wickham Market, comprises 152ha (375 acres) of wheat, 49ha (121 acres) of oilseed rape, 33ha (81.5 acres) of sugar beet and some vining peas.

The spring barley acreage was split between two varieties last year. Optic had the lion`s share at 30 ha (75 ha) with Prestige grown on 20ha (50 acres). Mr Taylor was keen to see how newer variety stacked up against the old favourite. Especially so as he was actively looking for a more reliable yields and because he was offered a premium of £20/t over feed - £5 more than that available for Optic.

“Our agronomist calculates that even at considerably more modest yields than we achieved with Prestige and conservative market values spring barley continues to have a particularly competitive gross margin potential for us,” he explained. “Our projected GM for spring barley yielding 2.5t/acre (6.2t/ha) worth a conservative £80/t is £562.20/ha. This compares very favourably with £520/ha for a 10t/ha winter wheat crop worth £55/t.”

The Prestige at Ivy Lodge was drilled after wheat in early March with a combination power harrow rig at a seed-rate of 190kg/ha (171lbs/acre). An application of 119kg/ha (95 units/acre) of nitrogen went on shortly after emergence. The crop came through just as quickly as the Optic and received similar inputs at the total cost of £65.34/ha (£26.45/acre).

The biggest difference between the two malting types showed up at harvest. While Optic had, as usual, necked over and shed some ears, the new variety stood well and retained its large ears.

“Prestige was fantastically easy to cut; more like wheat than barley,” Grahame Taylor reported. “And magically, considering how little straw there seemed to be in the standing crop, there was plenty in the swath. When our driver told me the crop was doing 3 tonnes
I initially thought he hadn’t reset the weigher after doing wheat. But we checked and the yield was confirmed.

“Even in a good year I can’t see winter malting barley doing any better than Prestige, and as the variable costs worked out almost £30/ha lower it has a better economic bet.

“The spring crop coming-in off the combine looked superb too,” he added. “The grain had a specific weight in the high 60s. Grain Ns were nicely in specification at 1.65% and screenings were so low they barely registered.

“I have to say I was surprised by both the yield and quality of the sample. I’ve stepped up the acreage we’ll be growing in future so the 2003 split will be 50% Prestige 50% Optic.
“I am concerned about having a lot of spring barley to drill in March as bad weather at this time can make the job difficult. Weather permitting, we’re thinking of reducing this risk by putting some in just after Christmas or early in the New Year this season as a trial.”