Like much of Montana, the areas surrounding the Western Triangle Ag Research Center are environmentally diverse, particularly in rainfall, temperature, and soil types. The WTARC sits at the western edge of the “Golden Triangle” where cereal grains are the predominant crops. Although barley is not as predominant inside the Golden Triangle as wheat, it is a common rotational crop and is often grown for feed. However, barley is the dominant crop along much of the Rocky Mountain front just outside the Golden Triangle area. The total barley production in the counties that comprise the Golden Triangle was 55% of the total barley production in the state in the 2021 field season. One of the most beneficial activities we can perform for producers is to evaluate crop cultivars in multiple off station locations which allows us to provide environmentally relevant cultivar data that will serve to help inform cultivar choice, planting, and management. The importance of these trials makes it a yearly primary objective of the WTARC to conduct as many evaluations as budgets and resources allow.
Off-station barley cultivar evaluations were planned for 3 locations outside of the cities of Brady (, Cutbank, and Floweree, MT. Brady and Cutbank sites were to be standard evaluations and the Floweree site was known to have lower than average pH. Unfortunately, the Cutbank site was abandoned early in the season due to planter malfunctions and therefor the only standard site represented in this report is the Brady site. The Floweree data is presented in a separate report.
There were 25 entries in this barley evaluation which were provided by the Montana State University barley breeder, Dr. Jamie Sherman. The entries were seeded into four-row plots that where 4-ft x 12-ft with 12-inch spacing between rows and 18-inch spacing between plots. Data collected through the growing season included plant height, maturity date, and percent grasshopper damage. Plant height was measured from the soil surface to the top of the head, excluding awns. Maturity date was visually estimated as the loss of green color from the peduncle in 50% of the stems in the plot.
At harvest, each plot was trimmed to a straight edge and plot lengths were manually measured with a measuring tape. Each plot was harvested using a Wintersteiger Classic plot combine. The grains were cleaned and a Perten 9500 Grain Analyzer was used to determine grain moisture, protein, test weight. The percentage of harvested plumps was determined by sifting the grain through two differently sized sieves.
Signifant differences in yield were not detected between varieties but there was high variability with a yield ranging from 29.59 bu/ac (Havener) to 50.35 bu/ac (KWS Jessie), with an average yield of 38.94 bu/ac across all varieties. Plant height, protein content, and test weight were highly correlated with the variety at this location. while the average plant height was about 24 inches (Table 1). Merit 57 was the tallest variety at 25.67 inches while ABI Eagle was the shortest at 22.00 inches. Height was exceptionally variable between varieties. Protein content ranged between 11.10% (BC Lexy) and 13.83% (Lavina) with an average protein content of 12.41% across varieties. The average test weight of the 25 entries was 45.80 lb/bu. Test weights ranged from 41.17(Lavina) and 53.73 (Havener). Differences in moisture content were significant as well. Percentages ranged from 8.70% (Lavina) 9.20% (Havener) with an average of 8.91%. There was a strong correlation between the percentage of plump seeds and the variety. The average across all varieties was 81% plump with a range of 55% (Lavina) and 95% (Buzz). There was not a detectable significant difference between the heading date and the variety, as all recorded heading dates took place within 4 days of one another
This report was originally planned to include two sites (north of Cutbank and west of Brady) but we were forced to abandon the Cutbank site due to planting issues. The trial west of Brady had timely rainfall throughout the season which allowed for average growth and yield for the area. This was in stark contrast to much of the rest of the state. This trial was planted on fallow ground and surrounded with a canola crop. The soil at this location seemed above average with a high integrated residue and high soil moisture content. This site supports many farmers in the Brady area as they experience conditions and have soils that can vary greatly from those at the WTARC. We plan to have off-station trials in this general area again in 2022. Also, in 2022 we will attempt to add 2 additional off-station locations spread out across the counties serviced by the WTARC.
This work was not possible without local area producers, the Western Triangle Agricultural Research Center Advisory Council, and assistance of the following seasonal employees: Alysha Miller, Caden Huntsinger, Lakota Becker, Landon Omdahl, and Roper Mycke.