Concerto, the first true dual-purpose malting barley variety from the Nickerson plant breeding programme to meet the needs of the brewing and malt distilling sectors, has received Full Approval from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD). The variety is also now in its third and final year of trials by CMBO, the French equivalent of the IBD, opening up the potential for exports to Europe.

Since Concerto first appeared with a ‘Provisional’ rating on the HGCA’s Recommended List for Spring Barley in 2009 it has been accepted onto Recommended Lists produced by both the Scottish Agricultural Colleges (SAC) and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD). In the UK, the variety has been very well received by the trade, with approximately 6000 tonnes from the 2009 harvest being used in brewing and distilling trials.

Concerto has very high Hot Water Extract, low grain nitrogen and very low levels of Glycosidic Nitrile (GN), while the fact that, like Optic, it accumulates grain nitrogen at low levels makes it highly attractive to the brewing and distilling sectors. Medium to early in terms of maturity, the variety combines very high yield potential with a good all-round agronomic package which has no significant weaknesses. Offering good resistance to lodging and brackling, Concerto has durable resistance to mildew, is similar to Optic in terms of its resistance to Rhynchosporium and superior to Propino and Quench for brown rust, an increasingly damaging disease throughout Europe.

A leading breeder of spring barley, Nickerson has an excellent track record of producing successful varieties which are grown widely in key European countries, including the UK, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden and Spain. Mark Glew, the company’s Senior Barley Breeder, comments:

“We are delighted that Concerto, a Minstrel x Westminster cross, is now fully approved by the IBD. The success for any new malting variety depends on its timing to market, strong end-user ‘pull’ and clear advantages over established varieties for growers and consumers. Concerto has arrived at just the right time, because the industry has been seeking an Optic replacement for some time.

“Previously there had been little improvement in the quality of spring malting barleys and new varieties often had only specific uses, giving growers and end-users very little real choice to traditional varieties which were becoming outclassed. Concerto’s very high extract and very low Glycosidic Nitrile (GN) make it ideal for distilling, while its extract, Diastatic Power (DP) and good modification make it suitable for brewing, providing growers with greater flexibility and more marketing options.”

Lee Robinson, Director of Marketing – Arable Crops, for Limagrain UK, added:

“Concerto has the potential to become a very significant variety and the seed industry has been quick to recognise its potential, increasing their commitment well before the IBD’s decision was announced.

“Traditionally, numerous malting barley varieties have been required to suit the different growing conditions in England and Scotland, together with the individual requirements of brewers and distillers, which has been inefficient for maltsters and farmers. The availability of modern, dual-purpose varieties such as Concerto is therefore a major step forward. The fact that the variety has also delivered competitive yields across Europe demonstrates its adaptability and resilience to climatic variation, which is becoming increasingly important.

“Yield is now a key factor for malting barley growers and securing the malting premium is crucial to profitability. Whereas all other varieties of spring malting barley, other than Optic, are use-specific, Concerto has many potential markets. Brewers and distillers like its extract, maltsters like the yield because it helps them to secure supplies, while its good grain quality makes the malting process more reliable. Concerto also appeals to merchants, who like to have different marketing options because it enables them to trade it into different outlets, and farmers like to grow what they can sell.

“The availability of new varieties which deliver obvious benefits to growers, maltsters and end-users will enable the malting barley sector to continue to offer good prospects for professional growers who farm close to a maltings or port facilities and are willing to utilise these latest developments in plant genetics.”