Integral winter barley is catching the eye of growers and the trade, emerging as a strong contender in the winter barley market.
With high treated and untreated yields, BYDV tolerance, stiff straw, and solid agronomic characteristics, the 6-row variety will be available to growers this autumn.
Tim Harper, seed manager for Dods of Haddington, is impressed by Integral’s performance so far in Scotland: “Integral is looking really well here in Scotland. It’s a great option for Scottish growers wanting a robust and reliable winter barley.”
In Bedfordshire, Peter Hutcheon is trialling Integral alongside KWS Hawking and KWS Tardis and is pleased with its early growth. “Integral is holding its own well alongside KWS Hawking and KWS Tardis in a very difficult growing season,” he says. “It’s got tall, stiff straw and looks full of promise, we’re keen to see how it performs come harvest.”
Integral has a consistent high yield at 105% for the UK, making it the highest yielding winter barley variety with tolerance to Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV). It is also the highest yielding conventional barley in the West at 107%.
Secobra Research commercial manager, Tom Barker points out that according to the AHDB, Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) is the most economically damaging virus in UK cereal crops and can cause yield losses of up to 50% in winter barley. “We’re really excited by Integral. It has that something different that makes it stand out for feed barley growers.”
Other features include excellent straw strength, early maturity (0) and a high specific weight of 69.4 kg/hl, making it a practical and versatile choice for many regions, Tom suggests.
