Teagasc will host a technical meeting for malting barley growers in the Millrace Hotel, Bunclody on Wednesday afternoon next, February 15.
“The aim of the evening is to provide growers with a programme of best practice, so as to allow them maximise malting barley yields and quality in 2017,” said Teagasc tillage advisor Ciaran Hickey.
“This is in line with Teagasc’s commitment to the malting industry, which now includes a clear focus on bespoke research and accompanying advisory services.
“There will be five speakers participating at the event. These include Liz Glynn, from Teagasc Oakpark, who will discuss the latest disease management programme for malting barley crops, and Seamus Kearney, from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, who will speak on the malting barley varieties available this year.”
Dr Steve Hoad, a member of the Crop Improvement and Agronomy Team with SRUC in Scotland, will also speak at the meeting,
“He will address the issue of skinning in malting barley, factors that cause it and using this information to minimise its effect,” said Hickey.
The problem did arise here in Ireland during the 2016 harvest and a clear understanding of what causes skinning will help to finding the next steps to solving the problem .
“Teagasc’s Dr Richard Hackett will discuss Nitrogen fertiliser rates for spring barley crops and their timing. Samples that contain in excess of 10.8% protein will be downgraded to feed quality status.”
Hickey said that he will wrap up on the evening, providing an overview of the crop establishment and general management requirements of spring barley crops.
“My presentation will include advice on seed rates, plant numbers, liming requirements and how to make best use of phosphate and potash, where malting barley is concerned.
“Attending farmers will be provided with a detailed advisory leaflet. This summarises all of the key practical points, which producers should take cognisance of when it comes to growing successful crops of malting barley.”
The event kicks of at 2pm.