Spring malting barley variety, Arrow, has received full approval for malt distilling following the latest Malting Barley Committee (MBC) meeting this spring.
The variety also progresses to Provisional Approval 2 for brewing use, paving the way for an eventual dual-use approval if further testing is successful.
Arrow comes from the malting barley breeding programme that was acquired by RAGT from Syngenta last winter; also from this stable is Laureate. 10 years after its first appearance on the Recommended List, Laureate is still one of the highest yielding approved varieties and represented almost three quarters of malting barley purchases by the brewing and distilling trade last year.
Stepping into big shoes
Tracy Creasy, malting barley portfolio manager for RAGT, believes Arrow is set to follow in Laureate’s footsteps by offering maltsters and distillers another consistent product from UK farms.
“We’re delighted that Arrow has secured full approval for malt distilling. It takes a lot of work to reach this stage, and we’re thankful for the support of partners in the trade to reach this goal,” she says.
“We’re hopeful that Arrow will become a dual-purpose brewing and distilling malting barley. In the meantime, farmers growing for the distilling market will be able to purchase Arrow for sowing next spring with a confirmed end market.”
Proven acclaim
RAGT managing director Helen Wilson says the acquisition of the mating barley programme from Syngenta is already beginning to bear fruit for the firm. “It’s significantly added to what was already a strong programme, which produced varieties like RGT Planet,” she adds.
“We have every confidence that Arrow will allow us to maintain our market leading position into the future.”
