B1202
B1202 is a proprietary variety released by Busch Agricultural Resources, Inc., which
contracts for its production. B1202 has better yield than Klages and similar test weight.
It is 2 inches shorter than Klages and heads 3 days earlier. Plump seed percentage is
higher than that of Klages, and it has stronger straw.
Bancroft
A feed variety released by Idaho AES, USDA-ARS in 1996. Bancroft has resistance to barley
stripe rust and will be most useful if this disease becomes established in Idaho and other
western states. Bancroft has higher yield than Klages, similar test weight to Klages and
Harrington and lower test weight than Crystal. Height is similar to Klages but has weaker
straw strength.
Baronesse
A rough-awned feed variety released by Western Plant Breeders in 1988.
Baronesse is widely adapted to both irrigated and dryland areas and has shown excellent
yields and heavy test weights in these areas. Baronesse has good straw
strength and is similar in height to Bancroft.
Bear
A hulless feed barley released by Washington AES, USDA-ARS in 1997. Bear is similar in yield to the
hulless variety Merlin and better than Shonkin. Test weight is less than Merlin and plant
height is taller. Straw strength is not as good as Merlin.
Bearpaw
This feed variety was released by Montana AES, USDA-ARS in 1989. It has
white kernels and rough awns. In Idaho irrigated tests, Bearpaw yields 97 percent as much
as Lud, is 1 pound per bushel lighter in test weight, and is similar in height and
maturity. Straw strength is significantly less than that of Lud, and plump seed averages 4
percent less. Dryland trials at Tetonia indicate Bearpaw yields 93 percent as much as
Hector, has slightly lighter test weight and less plant height, and matures earlier.
Bowman
This feed variety was released by North Dakota AES, USDA-ARS in 1984. It has smooth
awns, white kernels, and strong straw. Bowman has early maturity and very good yield. It
is susceptible to stem rust and loose smut and moderately susceptible to leaf diseases.
Camas
A feed barley released by Idaho AES,
USDA-ARS in 1999. Camas
is perhaps better adapted in northern Idaho than in southern Idaho but it has
shown good performance in both irrigated and dryland trials.
Yield of Camas has been comparable to Baronesse in south Idaho trials and
has higher test weight.
Camas is taller than Baronesse but straw strength has been as good as or
better than Baronesse.
Crystal
Crystal is a white-kerneled, rough-awned variety released by Idaho AES,
USDA-ARS in 1989. It is recommended by the AMBA for malting and brewing. Crystal has
yielded an average of 9 percent more than Klages and has higher test weight. Heading date
and height are similar to those of Klages and straw strength is slightly better. Plump
seed percentage is higher than that of Klages. Crystal has good field resistance to
Pseudomonas kernel blight.
Galena
An awned proprietary variety released by the Coors Brewing Co. in 1993. Galena has short
stiff straw and stands up well under irrigation. It has excellent lodging resistance along
with good disease resistance. Yields of Galena are high under irrigation and is not
recommended for dryland areas. Galena has good malting/brewing quality.
Gallatin
A white-kerneled, rough-awned feed variety released by the USDA-ARS and the Montana and
Idaho agricultural experiment stations in 1986. Gallatin has midlax, midlong spikes that,
like Hector's, are seminodding before maturity and nodding at maturity. In irrigated
trials at Aberdeen, Gallatin yielded 4 percent more than Hector; had similar test weight,
plump seed percentage, height, and heading date; and stronger straw. In dryland trials at
Tetonia, Gallatin yielded 5 percent less than Hector and had similar height, test weight,
and plump seed percentage.
Garnet
A feed variety released by Idaho-AES, USDA-ARS in 1996. Garnet has been extensively
tested for malting and brewing and is considered to be a potential malting variety. Garnet
has exceeded Klages in yield but has been slightly lower than B1202 and Harrington. Test
weight is similar to Klages, height averages 1 inch taller but straw is stronger.
Harrington
This white-kerneled, rough-awned variety was released by the University of Saskatchewan in
1986. It is recommended by AMBA for malting and brewing. Under irrigation in souteastern
Idaho, Harrington has outyielded Klages by 5 percent. Test weight is similar to that of
Klages, but percentage plump seed tends to be about 8 percent higher. Harrington heads 2
days earlier than Klages.
Hector
A white-kerneled, rough-awned feed variety released by the University of Alberta in 1983.
Hector is primarily adapted to dryland production as its straw strength tends to be weak
under irrigated conditions. Test weight is excellent under both dryland and irrigated
production. Hector heads 1 to 2 days earlier than Lud. Kernel plumpness is generally
excellent. It has performed best in dryland trials at higher elevations where it averages
about 95 percent the yield of Steptoe.
Idagold
An awned, short height variety released by Coors Brewing Co. in 1993. Yield is high
throughout irrigated areas of southern Idaho but it is not recommended for dryland areas.
Idagold has good disease and lodging resistance. Idagold is a good feed variety.
Jersey
A feed
barley released by Western Plant Breeders in 1999. Jersey
was evaluated for the first time in 1999.
It appears to be best adapted to high yield environments but does
reasonably well even under dryland conditions.
Test weight averages slightly higher than the average of 2-row varieties
and it is a bit earlier and shorter than the average.
Straw strength is above average.
Klages
A white-kerneled, rough-awned variety that has been among the most widely grown varieties
in Idaho for many years. Klages is recommended by the AMBA for malting and brewing. Klages
was released by Idaho and Oregon AES, USDA-ARS in 1973. It is
the most commonly grown 2-rowed malting variety in Idaho, with the bulk of its acreage in
the southeastern part of the state. Klages tends to be lower yielding than many other
varieties, but is preferred by maltsters. Straw strength is weaker than that of Lud.
Klages is 2 inches taller than Lud. It usually heads 1 day later than Lud. Test weight is
similar to that of Lud and about 0.5 pound per bushel lighter than that of Crystal.
Logan
A malting barley released by North Dakota AES, USDA-ARS in 1995. Yields of Logan have
been similar to Sunbar 560 and Moravian 14. Test weight of Logan is higher than average,
height is taller, and straw strength is better. Date head is quite early.
Lud
Lud is a white-kerneled, rough-awned feed variety released by North American Plant
Breeders (now Agripro) in 1973. In recent years, Lud has ranked near the top in acreage of
two-rowed varieties planted for feed. Under irrigation, Lud has yields similar to those of
Steptoe except in higher-elevation areas of eastern Idaho where it is lower yielding. Lud
yields the same as Sunbar 560 but is generally 2 to 3 pounds per bushel higher in test
weight. Lud averages about 32 inches tall under irrigation, and is shorter than Steptoe
and Klages. Lud lodges less than Klages. It is less well adapted to dryland production.
Menuet
A white-kerneled, rough-awned feed variety released by Cenex Corporation in 1980. Menuet
yields are similar to those of Lud and Sunbar 560, while test weights average 1 pound per
bushel heavier than those of Lud. Menuet heads earlier than Lud and has similar straw
strength and plant height. Menuet averages 5 percent higher in plump seed than Lud under
irrigation but tends to lose this advantage under dryland conditions.
Merit
A malting barley released by Busch Agricultural Resources, Inc in 1997. Yields are similar
to Galena and better than B 1202. Test weight is similar to most other 2-row varieties but
tends to be lower under high test weight conditions. Height is about 2 inches taller than
Moravian 19 but less than Logan. Lodging resistance is good, similar to Galena under most
conditions but tends to be worse when lodging is high.
Moravian 14
A malting variety released by Coors Brewing Co. in 1995. Moravian 14 has slightly
lower yield than Galena but higher test weight. Test weight of Moaravian 14 is among the
highest of any variety tested. Height is similar to Galena. Straw strength is generally
very good. Heading date is earlier than Galena.
Moravian 19
A malting barley released by Coors Brewing Co in 1997. Moravian 19 has similar
yields to Galena and is also similar in height and straw strength. Test weight is a bit
less than Moravian 14 but similar to Galena. Date head is earlier than Galena but later
than Moravian 14.
Moravian 22
A malting barley released by Coors Brewing Co. in 1997. Moravian 22 is similar in
yield to Logan, Galena, and Moravian 19. Test weight is less than Moravian 14, and
Moravian 19. Date head is later than Moravian 19, height is similar, and straw strength is
better than Moravian 19 and Galena.
Orca
Orca was released by Oregon AES, USDA-ARS in 1998 and is resistant to both barley
stripe rust and Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus. Yields in southern Idaho have been similar to
Baronesse. Test weight of Orca is heavier than Baronesse and height is taller. Straw
strength is better than Baronesse and heading date is earlier.
Sissi
A feed variety released by Western Plant Breeders in 1995. It is similar in yield to
Idagold and Sunbar 560 with higher test weight. Height is similar to Sunbar 560 but
lodging is less. Maturity is equal to Sunbar 560 and 1 day later than Baronesse. On
dryland, Sissi did not yield as much as Sunbar 560.
Sunbar 560
Sunbar 560 is a white-kerneled, rough-awned, proprietary feed variety released by
Northrup-King & Co. Sunbar 560 yields the same as Lud under irrigation but averages
nearly 3 pounds per bushel lighter in test weight. Straw strength is similar to that of
Lud, but lodging is slightly less under high-yielding conditions. It is 1 inch shorter
than Lud. On dryland, Sunbar 560 yields more than Lud.
Targhee
This white-kerneled, rough-awned feed variety was released by Idaho AES, USDA-ARS in 1991. Targhee has similar yields to Hector under dryland conditions and has
generally higher yields under short-season environments and with limited irrigation.
Targhee is not as well adapted to irrigated conditions because it has less lodging
resistance than other varieties. Targhee is similar to Hector in test weight, slightly
higher in plump seed percentage, 2 inches shorter, and has stronger straw.
Xena
A feed
barley released by Western Plant Breeders in 1999.
Xena has had very high yields over the locations tested.
It’s yield has been comparable to Baronesse (often higher), and is
about two inches taller but with similar straw strength.
Test weight tends to be higher than Baronesse.
B2601
A semi-smooth, awned, short proprietary release from Busch Agricultural Resources, Inc. in
1990, which contracts for its production. In 1990 irrigated trials, B2601 had
significantly higher grain yield than Morex, similar protein content, higher test weight,
and slightly lower plump kernel percentage. B2601 averages 7 inches shorter than Morex,
heads 4 days later, and lodges less.
Brigham
A feed
barley released by Utah AES, USDA-ARS in 1999.
Brigham is a very high yielding variety under irrigation and does well on
dryland except for severely stressed conditions.
Test weight is lower than most other 6-row varieties.
Brigham is average in height and has good straw strength.
Percent plump is average for 6-row varieties.
Century
A feed variety released by Utah AES, USDA-ARS in 1996. Century is very similar to Statehood but has
a more lax head type. Century is slightly taller than Statehood and a bit earlier and has
equally good straw strength. Yields have been good under both irrigated and dryland
conditions.
Colter
A white-kerneled, smooth-awned variety released by Idaho AES, USDA-ARS in 1991. Colter has some promising malting qualities,
but is currently classified as a feed barley. Colter is similar to Steptoe in height and
slightly shorter than Morex. Yields were equal to those of Steptoe and 122 percent of
those of Morex in irrigated tests in 1989 and 1990. Dryland tests indicate yields of
Colter and Steptoe are about the same. Protein content tends to be lower than those of
most other six-rowed varieties. Test weight averages 1 pound per bushel heavier than that
of Steptoe and heading date is 1 day later. Percentage plump seed is less than that of
Steptoe.
Excel
A smooth-awned, white-kerneled variety released by Minnesota AES, USDA-ARS in 1990. It
is recommended by the American Malting Barley Association (AMBA) for malting and brewing.
Tests at Aberdeen indicate Excel is 2 inches shorter than Morex and 1 inch taller than
Steptoe. It yields more grain than Morex but less than Steptoe. Excel has 1 pound per
bushel higher test weight than Morex, stronger straw, and a higher plump seed percentage.
Maturity is similar to that of Morex and 1 day later than that of Steptoe.
Gustoe
Short, blue kerneled, and rough awned variety released by Western Plant Breeders in
1982. It is the shortest well-adapted six-rowed cultivar to be widely tested in southern
Idaho. Straw strength is superior to that of Steptoe. It heads 4 days later than Steptoe.
Yields under irrigation have been about equal to those of Steptoe except in shorter
growing season areas of eastern Idaho, where Steptoe is higher yielding. Test weight at
nine locations in 1989 averaged 45.6 pounds per bushel for Gustoe and 46.3 pounds per
bushel for Steptoe. Percentage protein is higher than that of Steptoe and lower than that
of Columbia.
Millennium
A feed
barley released by Utah AES, USDA-ARS in 1999.
Millenium is a very high yielding variety under both irrigated and
dryland conditions.
It has been higher in yield than Brigham especially under dryland
conditions. Millenium
is early, average height and has very good straw strength.
Percent plump is less than average for 6-row varieties.
Morex
A smooth-awned, white-kerneled variety released by Minnesota AES, USDA-ARS in 1978.
Morex is recommended by the AMBA for malting and brewing. In 1990 and 1991, Morex was
grown on more acres in Idaho than any other barley variety. Morex is tall and has
relatively weak straw but has desirable malting and brewing characteristics. Morex is
several inches taller than Steptoe and has similar lodging resistance. Under irrigation,
Morex averages about 1.5 pounds per bushel heavier test weight than Steptoe and heads
about 1 day later. Morex yields about 20 percent less than Steptoe in southern Idaho.
Mucho
Mucho was released by Arizona Plant Breeders and is distributed in Idaho by Simplot
Agrisource, Inc. Mucho is very short, very early and generally has not yielded as well as
Steptoe. Test weight is similar to many six-rowed varieties. Straw strength is good. Mucho
will most likely be grown in areas that are prone to severe lodging or where a very early
variety is needed.
Nebula
Nebula was released by Western Plant Breeders in 1995. Under irrigation, Nebula has better
yield than Colter and Steptoe and is shorter. Heading date is later than Steptoe and straw
strength is better. Nebula does not perform well under limited moisture conditions, thus
it should be produced only under irrigation or high rainfall conditions.
Rollo
Rollo is a white-kerneled, semismooth-awned feed variety released by Utah AES,
USDA-ARS in 1991. In 19 locations of the Western Spring Barley Nursery in 1989, Rollo had the
highest yield, averaging 102 percent that of Steptoe. Test weight (48.1 bushels per acre),
plant height (29 inches), and lodging (15 percent) were equal to those of Steptoe. Rollo
headed 5 days later than Steptoe and had 9 percent less plump seed. 1990 southern Idaho
trials suggest Rollo should not be grown under irrigation due to its weak straw.
Russell
A smooth-awned, white-kerneled variety released by Idaho AES, USDA-ARS in 1985. Russell is recommended by the AMBA for malting and brewing. Russell averages 1
inch taller than Steptoe and 3 inches shorter than Morex. It has stronger straw and lodges
less than either variety. Heading date is similar to that of Morex. Yield averages 4
percent less than that of Steptoe under irrigation in southern Idaho. Percentage plump
seed is similar to that of Morex.
Sprinter (facultative)
A blue-kerneled, semismooth-awned feed variety released by Western Plant Breeders in 1987.
Sprinter is a facultative variety adapted for planting either in fall or spring. In
nine southwestern Idaho spring-planted trials, Sprinter averaged 93 bushels per acre,
which was 88 percent that of Steptoe and 82 percent that of Gustoe. Test weight was 48.5
pounds per bushel compared with 48.1 for Steptoe and 47.5 for Gustoe. Sprinter was similar
in height to Steptoe. Lodging was 38 percent compared with 72 percent for Steptoe and 59
percent for Gustoe. Maturity is later than most other varieties.
Statehood
A feed variety released by Utah AES, USDA-ARS in 1996. Statehood has yield similar to Steptoe under
irrigation but less under dryland. Test weight is slightly lower than Steptoe and height
is similar. Statehood and Steptoe have similar heading dates and Statehood has
considerably better straw strength.
Steptoe
This high-yielding, white-kerneled, rough-awned feed variety was released by Washington
AES, USDA-ARS in 1973. Steptoe has very wide adaptation. One of the highest yielding
varieties, it has been the most popular six-rowed feed variety in Idaho for the past
several years. Plump seed percentage is generally higher than that of any other six-rowed
variety, and protein content is lower than those of many varieties. Steptoe also has lower
feed value than many other varieties. When grown under dryland conditions, test weight
tends to be 1 to 2 pounds per bushel less than those of Morex and Russell.
Sunstar Bravo
A feed variety released by Sunderman Breeding. Yield has been under both irrigated and
dryland production. Test weight is higher, height is taller, and straw strength is
stronger than Steptoe.
Sunstar Double (facultative)
A feed variety released by Sunderman Breeding. Sunstar Double is a facultative variety
adapted for planting either in fall or spring. As a spring seeded variety, Sunstar Double
has yielded less than Steptoe and Colter but has a higher test weight than Steptoe.
Sunstar Double is shorter than most spring 6-rowed varieties and has very good resistance
to lodging.
Sunstar Prince
A feed barley released by Sunderman Breeding in 1995. Yield has been equal to or higher
than Steptoe under irrigation but slightly less on dryland. Test weight has been slightly
lower than Steptoe, height is shorter and straw strength is better, plump seed is about
equal to Steptoe.
Tango
Tango was released by Oregon AES, USDA-ARS in 1998. Tango is a derivitive of Steptoe
but with resistance to barley stripe rust. Compared to Steptoe, Tango has slightly less
yield, better test weight, earlier heading date, better straw strength, and greater plant
height. It likely will be used only in places where stripe rust is a major production
constraint.
Walker
A white-kerneled, rough-awned feed variety released by Utah AES, USDA-ARS in 1991.
Irrigated trials in southern Idaho in 1990 showed Walker superior to Rollo in yield, test
weight, straw strength, and plump seed. Walker had lower yield than Steptoe, equal test
weight, and less lodging. Walker was 2 inches taller than Steptoe and headed 2 days later.
Westbred 501
A short, white-kerneled, semismooth-awned feed variety released by Western Plant Breeders
in 1982. Westbred 501 looks similar to Gustoe and has the same height and heading date.
Westbred 501 has stronger straw than Gustoe, higher test weight, and higher percentage
protein. Yield tends to be 10 percent lower than that of Gustoe. Westbred 501 is best
adapted to high-yield irrigated production. It is poorly adapted to dryland production.
Last updated 1/24/00