South Perth, Western Australia
February 20, 2009
Source:
Department of Agriculture and Food
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Barley Industry Development Officer Jeff Russell
advocates barley growers to keep growing existing
varieties like Baudin while new varieties become
established in the market place. |
Western Australian malting barley
growers are advised to maintain production of Baudin, Gairdner
and Hamelin as markets for new varieties Buloke and Vlaming are
developed.
Western Region Barley Council Chairman Steve Tillbrook said
while the introduction of Buloke and Vlamingh gave growers new
options to consider in their sowing mix for 2009, there were
already established markets for both Baudin , Gairdner and
Hamelin.
Mr Tilbrook said there would be much more demand for Baudin and
Gairdner to other varieties while the market for Hamelin was
smaller.
There is even the need to keep some Stirling in the system as it
is required for the Japanese Shochu market. The WRBC
recommendation is for Stirling to be grown in the Kwinana and
North Albany port zones.
“Given the competitive nature of world malting barley markets,
it is imperative that growers maintain production to satisfy the
needs of our overseas customers for the next few years,” he
said.
“While the newer varieties, Vlamingh and Buloke offer barley
growers some agronomic and management advantages, the markets
are a limited size at the moment and are still being developed.
“In the meantime, growers are advised to establish only small
areas of newer varieties on farm until markets are developed and
their size is better defined.
“This is going to be an ongoing ‘chicken and egg’ situation for
any new malting barley variety.”
Mr Tilbrook said industry development of new malting varieties
could take between three to four years before a variety might
break into the malting and brewing industry.
Baudin was released to WA growers in 2001, but it wasn’t until
2004 that it was accepted into significant markets and later was
established as a preferred variety in export grain and malt
markets.
The Western Region Barley Council will help outline market size
of the varieties to growers each year through the malting barley
variety recieval plan. The next plan will be delivered in spring
this year.
An outline of current developments in the barley industry and an
agronomy package for the variety Buloke will be delivered at the
Department of Agriculture and Food’s Agribusiness Crop Updates
next week. |
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