The Board of Barley Australia has met to consider the recommendations from the Malting and Brewing Industry Barley Technical Committee (MBIBTC) for the various varieties currently under evaluation. A summary of results is provided below:
Varieties Withdrawn from Evaluation
The following varieties have been withdrawn by the relevant promoter and will no longer progress through the evaluation process:
Biere (9516-01)
Maltstar (SMBA 11-1771
Varieties Undergoing Stage Two Evaluation
Leabrook (WI4896): Insufficient grain was available for evaluation in 2019 and will now continue Stage Two evaluation in 2020.
Alestar (SMBA 11-2341): Insufficient grain was available for full evaluation of Stage Two requirements in 2019, and hence only partial progress through this stage was possible. Alestar will continue the remainder of the Stage Two evaluation process in 2020.
It is anticipated at this stage that there will be sufficient in-specification grain available from the 2019/20 harvest for Leabrook and Alestar to carry out a continuation of Stage Two Trials. They would then be assessed in February 2021 by the MBIBTC and a final recommendation made to Barley Australia at its March 2021 Meeting.
Varieties Undergoing Stage One Evaluation
Traveler: A small tonnage of Traveler barley was available for trial under the previous system of commercial malting from the 2018/19 crop. It was not possible to make a confident assessment with the small amount of data available and hence the evaluation is being carried over for continuation in Stage One during 2020.
Maximus (IGB 1705T): Three parcels of Maximus barley were evaluated through PMA in 2019. Maximus has successfully completed Stage One evaluation and will now proceed into Stage Two trials in 2020.
Buff (IGB 1506): Three parcels of Buff barley were evaluated through PMA in 2019. Buff has successfully completed Stage One evaluation and will now proceed into Stage Two trials in 2021, as there is insufficient grain available for commercial evaluation in 2020.
Bottler (HV 16): Insufficient barley was available to complete full assessment requirements in 2019 and hence Stage One assessment will continue in 2020.
Kiwi: Insufficient barley was available to complete full assessment requirements in 2019 and hence Stage One assessment will continue in 2020.
Varieties entering into Stage One Evaluation
WI4952: This variety has sufficient grain available to commence Stage One evaluation during 2020.
Varieties accepted into Accreditation Program
Barley Australia has accepted applications for three new varieties for malting barley evaluation. IGB 1825 from InterGrain, and AGTB0043 and AGTB0113 from AGT, have been accepted into Stage 0.
Trials of AGTB0043 are anticipated to commence in Stage One evaluation in 2020, and AGTB0113 and IGB 1825 in 2021.