New Six-Row Is Highest Yielding Conventional Barley
16th November 2011
With a treated yield of 110% of controls, KWS Meridian is the only new recommendation for the feed barley grower.
As a six-row it becomes the highest yielding conventional variety on the UK Recommended List and is only out yielded by one hybrid and then by just 0.17t/ha.
According to KWS cereals manager, Keith Best, it offers hybrid like performance but at a lower seed cost and should find favour across ‘traditional six-row country’.
“It is the tallest variety on the UK Recommended List, but is also the stiffest strawed of all the six-rows – conventional and hybrid. This should provide valuable straw yields on a securely structured crop,” he says.
Mr Best also points out that KWS Meridian has significant disease resistance rating advantages. At 8 it has joint top rating for net blotch and its 9-rating for mildew is 2 points ahead of any other recommended winter barley.”
“Yields are consistently high across the Recommended List test regions, both on light and heavy land, so it should suit most growers looking to maximise yield,” he says.
“However, early indications from the trade and other trials suggest that KWS Meridian will find particular favour in livestock regions in the north and west, where its very high grain and straw yield give it a substantial advantage,” suggests Mr Best. “Here it really is a significant competitor to the more expensive six-row hybrids.”
