The Malting Barley Blueprint

The malting barley blueprint, aligning breeding, farming and market needs: big questions and vital for the malting barley industry.

To help answer those questions, we have David Griggs, technical director from Crisp Malt, Charlie Catto, agronomist with Agrii and Paul Bury, barley breeder from Secobra Research.

We are at the perfect location to ask those questions, recording live at Secobra's spring barley research site in Norfolk.

What Do Brewers and Distillers Want from Malting Barley Varieties?

David Griggs (Crisp Malt): Distillers prioritise high alcohol yields and low nitrogen content, while brewers value flavour, colour, head retention, and versatility depending on beer style (e.g., craft ale vs. global lager). This requires tailored barley varieties and precise testing to ensure quality matches end-user needs.

How Is Sustainability Shaping Malting Barley Breeding?

David: Sustainability is now a core requirement, not a bonus. The carbon footprint of malt production is largely driven by barley growing, so the industry seeks varieties with higher yields, better nitrogen use efficiency, and reduced agrochemical inputs.

What Does “License to Operate” Mean for Barley Growers?

Charlie Catto (Agrii): Farmers are under pressure from the supply chain to prove environmental stewardship. This “license to operate” is moving beyond premiums to becoming a baseline expectation, aligning with regenerative agriculture, IPM, and soil health best practices.

How Are New Malting Barley Varieties Approved?

David: The Malting Barley Committee evaluates new varieties through small-scale malting and brewing trials. Only the most promising progress to commercial-scale testing. Since breweries are risk-averse, any new variety must offer performance equal to or better than current ones.

How Does Barley Breeding Balance Farmer and Market Needs?

Paul Bury (Secobra Research): Barley breeding must strike a balance. If a variety isn’t profitable or reliable for farmers, they won’t grow it. Modern breeding focuses on dual-use varieties that serve both brewing and distilling needs, while maintaining yield stability and disease resistance.

What Does 25 Years of Barley Breeding Progress Look Like?

Paul: Research shows a 2 t/ha yield improvement over 25 years through breeding. While annual gains seem small, over time they are significant. New varieties consistently outperform older ones under the same growing conditions.

Why Do High Yields and Quality Matter for Farm Profitability?

Charlie: Farmers need varieties that deliver both high yield and malting quality - low nitrogen, good bushel weight, early ripening, and strong disease resistance. This reduces input costs and boosts sustainability metrics.

How Can Agronomists Help Farmers Maximise Spring Barley Performance?

Charlie: Success starts with early planning and precision:

• Use of cover crops and digestate to improve soils
• Combatting manganese and zinc deficiencies
• Applying the right starter fertiliser
• Understanding variety-specific traits before they hit the market

What’s the Breeding Focus for Future Malting Barley Varieties?

Paul: Breeding is focusing on:

• Yield stability across seasons
• Resilience to climate and disease pressures (e.g., net blotch, mildew)
• Dual-use potential
• Stress tolerance under varying environmental conditions

What Should Be a Farmer’s Top Focus for Future Resilience?

David: Regenerative farming practices will soon become non-negotiable in supply chains. Focus on the right varieties, soil health, and input efficiency to stay market-relevant.

Charlie: Farmers should move away from “broad brush” approaches. Fine-tuning detail - from seed treatments to variety selection -ensures higher performance and better margins.

Paul: Don’t be afraid to trial new varieties. Sustainable farming requires the latest genetics and a willingness to adapt.

Want to Know More?

Explore Agrii’s spring barley varieties: Visit agrii.co.uk/your-crops/cereals/spring-barley