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2016 malting barley trial data released
Drought stress through much of the state impacted yields, but overall, disease pressure and preharvest sprout were down.
December 23, 2016
2 Min Read
FIELD TEST: Variety trials on spring malting barley used three plots throughout Michigan, including this trial at the MSU W.K. Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners.
In 2016, a three-site variety trial was managed by staff from the Michigan State University Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center and the Michigan State University W.K. Kellogg Biological Station. The trial was supported by a grant through the Brewers Association and American Malting Barley Association. The primary goal of this research was to examine a set of malting barley varieties for yield and quality performance in various climatic regions of Michigan. MSU collaborated on this trial with eight other states and two locations in Canada through the Eastern Spring Barley Nursery program, spearheaded by the Craft Maltsters Guild.
3 trial locations
Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center (UPREC) in Chatham (Alger County)
The Julian Pilarski Farm in Posen (Presque Isle County)
K. Kellogg Biological Station (KBS; Barry County)
Residing in diverse regions, each location has a long history of small-grain production. Also, each location has multiple craft-malt houses due to start production using locally grown barley. Each plot used a rectangular lattice experimental design, which allows for good statistical analysis of results. Twenty-eight varieties were tested in three replications.
Preliminary trial data can now be found at the UPREC Malting Barley website. Agronomic and yield data are included in the report. Quality data will be published in early 2017.
Trial highlights
The Posen site realized the greatest drought stress, nearly 4.5 inches below the six-year average, but all locations were slightly ahead in growing degree days at the time of grain maturity.
Optimal moisture at harvest was yet again difficult to achieve in the U.P., whereas both locations downstate were successful in getting most varieties down below 12%.
Test weight across all varieties was average at UPREC, above average at Posen, and slightly below average at KBS.
Average yields per acre were 71 bushels (UPREC), 50 bushels (Posen) and 60 bushels (KBS).
Top varieties summarized across all locations include AAC Synergy, LCS Odyssey, ND Genesis, 2ND28065 and KWS Fantex.
If interested in malting barley or malt production, contact Ashley McFarland at 906-439-5176 or [email protected]. McFarland is the coordinator of the Michigan State University Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center in Chatham.
Source: MSUE
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