Production

Utah's 1996 harvested barley acreage increased modestly, following several years of decrease. However, this increase in acreage was more than offset by less favorable environmental conditions, which resulted in lower yields (82.0 bushels per acre in 1996 compared to 90.0 bushels in 1995) and slightly lower total production. This reduced production was also accompanied by a lower average price ($2.90 per bushel in 1996 vs. $3.08 in 1995), which compounded the woes of the producers and resulted in a reduced overall value of the 1996 crop.

Losses from diseases and insects were generally minor. Infestations of the cereal leaf beetle and the Russian wheat aphid were spotty. Isolated outbreaks of barley stripe rust were noted, but they occurred late enough that damage was minimal.

Breeding Program

The development of strong-strawed feed barleys for production under high-yielding irrigated conditions continues to be the major thrust of our breeding program. Spring types receive the major emphasis, but we are putting some more effort into winter types. Considerable winter barley is produced in Utah and the acreage would likely be greater yet if improved winter hardiness was available.

Cultivars

Registered seed of our two most recent releases (Century and Statehood) was produced in 1996. Both cultivars have excellent yield records in Utah tests and also in the Western Regional Spring Barley Nursery (1993, 1994 and 1995, identified as UT1705L-Century, and UT1705D-Statehood). Both have favorable combinations of agronomic, quality and disease characteristics. Certified seed will be produced commercially in 1997. Both cultivars will be protected under Plant Variety Protection and Title V of the Federal Seed Act.

Breeder seed of two stiff-strawed advanced breeding lines (UT002120 and UT004198) was produced at Logan in 1996 for possible production of Foundation seed in 1997.