With malting barley prices predicted to remain high and a healthy demand for the crop, plant breeders, Nickerson, have produced a set of husbandry guidelines for their spring malting barley variety Oxbridge. 

Spring barley for distilling is the largest malting barley market in Scotland and Oxbridge, which has full IBD approval, has the potential to deliver outstanding performance in that market.

The new husbandry guidelines provide growers with the advice to achieve the best from the variety.

 “Oxbridge is far superior to Optic in terms of yield, disease resistance and green leaf retention making it a lot easier to grow,” says barley breeder Mark Glew.

“The guidelines we have published advise growers of the best strategy to adopt to achieve the all-important maltsters’ specification.”

If growers are aiming for the malt distilling market, they should treat Oxbridge in a similar manner to Optic in terms of seed rate, sowing date, and fertiliser application.

“Following this advice, growers can expect a significantly better yield and lower grain nitrogen than they would from Optic.”

As well as being easier to grow, the fungicide inputs may also be less, adds Mr Glew. “Whereas Optic requires an intensive fungicide programme, Oxbridge growers have the opportunity to use lower cost, more targeted programmes because of the variety’s excellent disease resistance – Oxbridge scores a seven for both Rhyncosporium and mildew.”

The husbandry guidelines can be obtained from the Marketing department at: direct@nickerson.co.uk