Barley Field Crop Variety Trials

researcher looking at barley research plots

Most barley producers in the region grow barley for malt and select varieties approved by the American Malting Barley Association (AMBA). The most important industry specifications for making malting grade are low grain protein (11.5%-13.5%), kernel plumpness (>80%) and low deoxynivalenol or DON content (<2 ppm). DON is the toxin produced by the Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) pathogen.

In addition to yield and acceptable malt quality, disease resistance plays an important role in variety selection. Disease evaluations are carried out in inoculated field and/or greenhouse experiments.

Barley field crop variety trial data

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2025 barley field crop variety trial narrative

Spring barley varieties were evaluated in 2025 in replicated trials at Crookston, Hallock, Oklee, Perley, Rosseau, Stephen, and Strathcona in the northern part of the state and Becker, Fergus Falls, Lamberton, Le Center, and Rochester in the south. The St. Paul location was lost to lodging. Yield is reported for 2025 and multi-year averages as percent of the mean of the trial. Data collected from these trials should be used to make comparisons only among those varieties included in the trials. The average yield across the 11 testing locations was 102 bu/acre in 2025. The highest yields this year were recorded in Hallock (205 bu/A) while the lowest grain yields were recorded in Lamberton (73 bu/A). LSD numbers beneath the yield columns indicate whether the difference between yields is due to genetics or to other factors, such as variations in environment. If the yield difference between two entries equals or exceeds the LSD value, the higher-yielding entry probably was superior in yield. A difference less than the LSD value was probably due to environmental factors.

Variety Selection Criteria

Most barley producers in the region grow barley for malt and select varieties approved by the American Malting Barley Association (AMBA). The most important industry specifications for making malting grade are low grain protein (11.5% - 13.5%), kernel plumpness (>80%) and low deoxynivalenol or DON content (<2 ppm). DON is the toxin produced by the Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) pathogen. Additional information about FHB can be found at scabsmart.org. Please consult the AMBA recommended varieties for the most current information about industry acceptance of malting barley varieties at ambainc.org. Variety selection will also be influenced by contracts made available by malting and brewing companies and these vary from year to year. 

In addition to yield and acceptable malt quality, disease resistance plays an important role in variety selection. Disease evaluations are carried out in inoculated field and/or greenhouse experiments. Disease ratings are based on the results of two or more experiments and are scored on a 1–9 scale where 1 = most resistant and 9 = most susceptible. For most producers the disease FHB and the presence of DON in harvested grain are the two most important factors limiting production of malting barley in the region. The six rows, with the exception of Quest, are generally more susceptible to Fusarium head blight expressed as higher concentrations of vomitoxin or DON. 

The other diseases listed in the disease reactions table are leaf diseases that can be a problem in Minnesota. All the varieties tested are generally susceptible (ratings from 3-8) to the QCCJ race of stem rust which has not been identified as a threat in the Midwest yet. All listed varieties carry stem rust resistance to the predominate Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici race (MCCF). Most varieties possess pre-heading resistance to stem rust; thus, they will not likely incur much damage unless the disease epidemic is severe. Bacterial Leaf Streak (BLS) cannot be controlled by fungicides and there are some modest differences (ratings from 3-6) in resistance among the tested two row varieties.

PVP Status

The varieties covered by the Protection Act, PVP (94) are indicated in the table. Growers can save seed of PVP protected varieties for their own planting only; it cannot be sold to anyone else, not even a relative or a neighbor without specific permission of the applicant for protection.

Authors

Kevin Smith, Ruth Dill-Macky, Jochum Wiersma, Brian Steffenson, Karen Beaubien, and Ed Schiefelbein.

Researchers

Guillermo Velasquez, Mike Leiseth, Danielle Fiebelkorn Wrucke, Travis Vollmer and Donn Vellekson supervised and carried out test plot establishment and management.

Barley field crop variety trial archive

The following documents were created before current policy requirements took effect, and therefore may not be accessible. To request this content in an accessible format, contact [email protected].

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