Protocol Status
Section Title
Barley Variety Trials
Trial Information
The purpose of this project is to quantify the agronomic and economic impacts of new barley varieties released within the last 2 years.
- The grower will plant a check variety of AAC Synergy or AAC Connect (malt) or CDC Austenson (Feed) along with a maximum of two new varieties that have been released in the last 2 years. The growers can mix malt and feed varieties if they wish but it is recommended to use Austenson as a check in these scenarios.
- The grower will manage their crop as per their normal best management practices.
- The grower will seed each variety in alternating strips in the field so that each variety has 4 strips in total.
- Strips should be full length of the field (minimum 1000 ft.) and width to allow for a full “pure pass with combine header.
- Trial sites included comparison of both malt and feed barley varieties.
- Variety registration dates ranged from 2009-2021.
- All malting barley varieties utilized in these trials, except CDC Bow, are currently on the CMBTC recommended list.
- All other management practices were kept the same across the entire field.
Results
Reviewing the 2025 growing season data only, the results indicate that high yields are achievable in difficult growing conditions with all varieties tested. At all sites, the most recently released varieties were the highest yielding, but differences were only significant at one site (2025-BV02). At this site, CDC Durango yielded 14 bu/ac more than CDC Austenson and would increase net profit by *$60/ac. These are preliminary results and variety performance differs by location and year. MCA plans to continue this trial next year.
*Feed barley price – $4.32. Difference in seed price is not included in calculation.