MBAC District Ontario
54th Annual Barley Field Day
July 7th, 2006
REPORT

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The 54th Annual Barley Field Day was a great success again this year. Thanks to Gilbertson and Page for morning coffee and donuts. Matt Letki (Canada Malting Co. Ltd) and Dr. Duane Falk (University of Guelph, Elora Research Station) co-chaired the event once everyone arrived.

The first speaker, Darren Smith provided the group with the 2006 barley crop outlook. 2006 was underway with an early plant and good, high moisture. There has been some heat stress, but only about 1 inch more rain is needed for good barley. If the weather during harvest is dry, this could be a banner year. It may be necessary as the 2005 crop will be exhausted in early fall. Keep your eye on Newdale, an upstart 2-row with good potential. There is a possibility of 2006 malt from Newdale for brewing trials.

The second speaker, David Van Dam (MSc. Candidate, University of Guelph) spoke on weed and barley competition. Current research is being conducted examining the yield and quality of barley when there is a strong weed interaction in the field. His studies include finding the optimum period of weed control for farmers, and searching for barley varieties is a resistance to weeds.

Speaking 3rd, Ken Steer-Jones (Bairds Malt – UK) informed the group of specialty malts. He mentioned the style and use of specialty malts and barleys. He spoke highly of Maris Otter as a good malty barley (but not a good growers barley due to low yield). Ken brought some UK beer samples to share with the group comparing the differences between Maris Otter and Optic malts.

Out on the field tour, Ian MacDonald (OMAFRA) enlightened the attendees about FarmSmart. FarmSmart is a hands on programs that is being used to educate farmers about crop management techniques and the economics involved. It is geared towards helping solve the actual problems the farmer faces: when to spray pesticides, what type, how much, when to replant, when to re-sow, etc.

Also in the field, Greg Wilson (MSc. Candidate, University of Guelph) informed us about his research of volunteer wheat in corn. The cereal well outperformed the corn and stunted corn growth. The problem occurs during crop rotation of wheat/corn when a no till method is in place. As of right now, Greg would inform farmers to spray round-up (for Round-up Ready corn) early, to give the corn the best growth opportunities.

It was obvious that the themes of the day were economics and cooperation. It was apparent that the brewer, maltster, and farmer are all searching for their personal economic factors with barley. The quality in barley each looks for is different, and therefore research is not yet covering traits needed by all of the stakeholders. It was apparent that premiums need to be paid for qualities and environmental factors in barley farming. The brewer, maltster, and farmer need to understand each others needs to appreciate the progress in barley breeding.