Consistency ‘crucial’ when choosing spring barley

Laureate still popular with growers

Farmers looking to grow spring malting barley successfully in 2025 should manage risk by considering varieties that have performed consistently over multiple years.

This should include difficult growing seasons – such as 2024, says Syngenta seeds technical expert Robert Jackson. Growers should also be sure that there is clear end-market demand for any chosen variety, he adds.

“Spring barley is a crop that can be very sensitive to its growing environment,” says Mr Jackson.

“A variety with a track record of good performance across different seasons is useful.”

The 2024 season provided a notably tough test. “Similarly, you need to be able to sell what you’ve grown. So good end market demand for the variety from maltsters is crucial.”

Laureate was first added to the AHDB Recommended List in 2016. It has since become the most purchased spring malting barley variety, accounting for over 60% of the spring barley malting area in 2023.

This is the most recent year of available data, says Mr Jackson. “There are numerous spring malting barley varieties to choose from, but it is certainly one with a strong track record is Laureate.

Challenging season

Despite the challenging season, Laureate’s average treated yield in AHDB recommended list trials during 2024 was higher than the five-year average, says Mr Jackson.

“The same pattern was also seen with its untreated yields. We believe this was down to its good disease resistance profile in a season that saw plenty of wet weather disease pressure,” he adds.

In addition, however, Laureate also seems to have withstood some of the drilling delays that affected farms during the wet 2024 season – an attribute that has seen its popularity rise elsewhere in Europe too.

The lower nitrogen fertiliser requirement of spring malting barley is an important consideration too. The optimum nitrogen fertiliser for Laureate is about 125-150kg/ha for brewing or 100-125kg/ha for distilling.

This iss based on achieving a good yield while not exceeding a grain nitrogen content of 1.75% for brewing or of 1.65% for malt distilling – and can again help manage risk.