Production

Utah’s 1997 harvested barley acreage took a modest drop from that of the previous year. However, a 4-bushel per year acre higher yield (86-bushel average) resulted in a total production figure that was virtually unchanged from 1996.

Losses from diseases were generally minimal. Cereal leaf beetle infestations were sufficient to require control in isolated sites. Russian wheat aphids were generally light, as were grasshoppers and other insects.

Breeding Program

Our breeding program continues to emphasize the development of strong-strawed spring feed barleys for production under high-yielding irrigated conditions, where lodging is a regular major occurrence. We are also increasing our efforts on winter barley.

Cultivars

Certified seed of our two recent releases (Century and Statehood) was produced in 1997. Both cultivars have favorable combinations of agronomic quality and disease characteristics.

Foundation seed of a rather short, stiff-strawed breeding line (UT002120) was produced in 1997. It has now been cleared for release as a new cultivar and will be named ‘Brigham.’ Average yields of Brigham were roughly 7% lower than those of Century and Statehood, and 2% higher than those of Steptoe in 5-year Utah irrigated tests. Brigham yields were 12% higher than those of Steptoe in 12-location average in the 1997 Western Regional Spring Barley Nursery. Brigham grows shorter than Steptoe, Century and Statehood and has significantly stronger straw. The short plant height and strong straw of Brigham appear to make it particularly well suited for high-yielding irrigated production through the use of wheel line sprinkler irrigation systems.

Breeder seed of a second short, stiff-strawed selection (UT94131058-4603) will be produced in 1998. It is comparable to Brigham in plant height, but has somewhat stronger straw, and has been the highest-yielding entry in Utah irrigated tests over the past two years.