While it is not on the current AHDB Recommended List, the spring barley variety Evelina is proving to be a popular option for mixed farmers thanks to its consistently high yield and strong disease resistance.

The variety, bred by Saatzucht Edelhof in Austria, boasts high protein levels, good straw length, vigorous development for weed suppression, and early harvest maturity.

Evelina has found favour among livestock farmers looking for a robust, versatile crop, but is also a popular variety for those in the arable world looking to take advantage of its strong agronomic traits.

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Suitable across the UK

Evelina’s disease resistance makes it a versatile variety suitable for growing across the UK.

“Alongside competitive grain yields, tall straw and high specific weights, it is a very useful spring cropping option,” explains James Henderson, arable trader at Mole Valley Farmers.

Mr Henderson says Evelina is quick to establish and early to mature. It produces a nice bold grain ideal for home-grown feed and with its extra straw length provides plenty of straw for bedding.

“Evelina has been widely grown by our farmers for a number of years, successfully achieving high yields of grain and straw across various seasons,” he says.

Case study: Mark Glanville, Somerset

Mark Glanville © Mark Glanville

South Somerset mixed farmer Mark Glanville grew Evelina spring barley for the first time last year, with pleasing results, and plans to grow the variety again.

Farming dairy and beef over 240ha in Chard with 235 dairy cows and 120 beef cattle, he combined and crimped the barley at 28% moisture for livestock feed.

“The grain quality is exceptional, and that was despite the drought we had last year,” says Mr Glanville. “The strong disease resistance profile is a huge benefit. We had a really clean grain sample last year,”

He says the tall straw works well for bedding but its strong standing power means lodging is not an issue.

Case study: David James Smith, Scotland

David James Smith © David James Smith

Scottish mixed farmer David James Smith is seeing similar benefits on his farm in Angus.

The variety’s early harvest is particularly beneficial to Mr James Smith, who grows 16ha each year with no disease issues.

“We have grown Evelina for the past five years and we will be growing it again this year,” he says. “It’s not too late to harvest, it’s good quality and it’s always clean.”

He farms 85 suckler cows and followers as well as 300 sheep, and sells his grain through Cope Seeds and Grain.

Gemma Clarke at Cope Seeds supports these comments. “In UK trials, Evelina showed outstanding disease resistance,” she says. “The grains produced high specific weights and had low screenings. It has quick establishment and is early to mature, and the straw was visibly taller than other varieties.”