Research Areas

Why research barley at MSU?

• Production has moved west

  • U.S. barley acres in the Midwest have been declining due to competition from other crops such as corn and soy beans as well as high risk of fungal disease (specifically Fusarium Head Blight, FHB or "Scab")
• 

  Montanan's plant more barley acres than any state

  • Other large producers are also within our region including Idaho and the Dakotas

• Barley is an important part of crop rotation to manage pests

  • such as wheat stem sawfly and cheat grass

• Barley has many end-uses providing multiple markets for growers

  • Malt barley has the highest economic return

Grower Issues

• 80% of Montana farmland is rainfed
• Barley grown on rainfed is more likely to be rejected for malt
• Revenue lost when rejected for malt due to poor quality
• Primary reason for rejection:
  • High protein
  • Poor plumps

MSU Barley Crossing Block by Year:

Breeding Program - Flow from 1st cross to variety release

Core nurseries conducted each year for the barley breeding program. For locations other than Bozeman, the work is accomplished by the Research Center faculty and staff.