Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Growing Conditions

The unusual weather patterns seen during the 1997-98 growing season continued into 1998-99. The most significant factor this year, however, was lack of moisture rather than excessive moisture as seen in the spring of 1998. Higher than normal temperatures and lack of snowfall made for another mild winter. The absence of any significant winter snow or spring rain resulted in relatively light disease pressure (particularly good news considering last year's disease-ridden crop). Incidence of powdery mildew [Erysiphe (Blumeria) graminis f. sp. hordei] was minimal while leaf rust (Puccinia hordei) was moderate. Lodging was kept to a minimum by the absence of pounding rain and high winds near harvest (0.9 on a scale from 0.2-10, 10 being complete lodging). Dry conditions also helped to keep test weights at or above 48 lbs bu^-1 (617.8 kg m^-3) across the state. Overall, producers enjoyed a season during which disease pressure was low, lodging occurred only minimally, and test weights and yields were particularly good.

Virginia producers harvested 60,000 acres (24,300 ha) of winter feed-barley for grain in 1999. Grain yields across the state averaged 84 bu ac^-1 (4515 kg ha^-1), up significantly from last year's 61 bu ac^-1 (3279 kg ha^-1). This year's yield ties the state yield-record set in 1995. Although yields were identical in 1995 and 1999, total harvested acres has declined. As reported above, in 1999 producers harvested 60,000 acres (24,300 ha) down from 80,000 acres (32,400 ha) in 1995. One possible explanation for the decline may be the low prices that barley is bringing on the open market. Due to a lack of monetary incentive, producers are choosing other crops over barley. Total grain production in 1999 was 5.0 million bushels (108,843.5 metric tons), also down from 1995 when total production reached 6.7 million bushels (145,850.3 metric tons).

A total of 26 winter feed-barley entries were evaluated at 5 Virginia locations in 1999. Twenty-two experimental lines and four released cultivars were included in the test. A Virginia Tech experimental line had the highest average yield with 137 bu ac^-1 (7363.8 kg ha^-1). Four entries yielded significantly higher than the test average of 127 bu ac^-1 (6826.3 kg ha^-1); all four were Virginia Tech experimental lines. Starling ranked fifth, Wysor ranked sixth, Nomini ranked seventh, and Callao ranked ninth with yields of 129 bu ac^-1 (6933.8 kg ha^-1), 128 bu ac^-1 (6880.0 kg ha^-1), 127 bu ac^-1 (6826.3 kg ha^-1), and 125 bu ac^-1 (6718.8 kg ha^-1), respectively. Average test weights of all entries ranged from 47.6 lbs bu^-1 (612.6 kg m^-3) to 51.7 lbs bu^-1 (665.4 kg m^-3). The test average was 50.1 lbs bu^-1 (644.8 kg m^-3). Test weights among the released cultivars ranged from 47.6 lbs bu^-1 (612.6 kg m^-3) for Nomini to 51.2 lbs bu^-1 (658.9 kg m^-3) for Callao.

Four producers representing four counties entered the 1999 Virginia Barley Yield Contest. Among participants, Kermit Thomas of King George County had the highest yielding barley at 145.4 bu ac^-1 (7815.3 kg ha^-1) over a minimum area of three acres (1.2 ha). Other producers had yields ranging from 129.8 to 140.0 bu ac^-1 (6976.8 kg ha^-1 to 7525.0 kg ha^-1).

Although barley yields continue to increase, low prices are discouraging producers and forcing them to choose more financially profitable crops. Barley acreage has steadily declined since 1995 with a slight rise this year from 1998. The decline in production seems to be associated with declining prices. In January 1999, the price of barley was $1.48 per bushel in Virginia. By December of the same year, prices had dropped to $1.31 per bushel and remained at that price in January 2000. With crops such as soybeans bringing $4.42 per bushel as of January 2000, producers are faced with a decision that could have definite economic consequences on their farms. How can we improve upon this situation? How can we convince producers to continue planting a crop that may or may not pay for itself?

With the demand for barley on a serious decline, researchers, breeders, producers, and extension personnel must work together to find a new niche for this crop. Winter hulless barley will continue to be at the forefront of barley research at Virginia Tech in 2000. The development of hulless barley as an improved feed crop for poultry and swine is receiving much attention. A study evaluating the actual feeding quality hulless barley was conducted and the analysis of data indicates that hulless barley possesses a combination of the desirable nutritive traits of wheat and hulled barley. Hulless barley is high in true metabolizable energy and fat (similar to hulled barley) and is high in protein and low in fiber (similar to wheat). The feed-ration including hulless barley did not differ significantly from the corn/soybean diet for rate of gain and performed significantly better than the diet containing hulled barley. This indicates the potential of hulless barley in poultry rations in terms of performance and may have some advantage when considering cost/lb of gain in broiler chicks. Results from the poultry tests have also indicated that hulless barley can be used as a competitive feed component which has the potential to provide a lower cost per pound of gain in broiler chicks due to the lower cost per bushel compared to corn and soybeans. Hulless barley has great potential as a feed crop in the mid-Atlantic region.

Evidence of the health benefits associated with human consumption of barley may help to make our crop sought after by health-conscious consumers. Virginia Tech extension personnel have been attending the Virginia Food Festival in Richmond annually, sharing foods prepared with barley, increasing awareness of human consumption of barley.

In addition to hulless barley, malting barley is receiving attention from the small grains breeding and genetics program at Virginia Tech. Two malting barley nurseries will be included in the program in the 1999-2000 season. One of the nurseries will be an observation nursery while the other will be a yield test.

In the future, barley may be known as an "alternative crop," planted and harvested in small fields by only a few producers. If that were to happen, supply would certainly decrease and prices may or may not increase. Unfortunately, alternative crops are just that, a second choice after a more lucrative crop. There remains too much potential for barley for it to be known and harvested only as an alternative crop. After such an excellent production year in 1999, everyone is looking forward to 2000 with high hopes for higher prices and increased interest in barley.