EAST LANSING, Mich. — Many farmers have heard about the rebirth of local barley production for the craft brewing and distilling industries. Is barley right for Michigan and you? An opportunity to learn more about the production and management of barley is set for June 20, 2018, at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station (9702 N 40th St, Hickory Corners, MI 49060).
The Michigan State University malting barley research program is excited to showcase the research underway for the 2018 crop season. The MSU Malting Barley Field Day in Hickory Corners starts at 8 a.m. with registration and refreshments, followed by an educational program featuring MSU researchers, representatives from the barley seed industry and a tour of the research plots. Station manager and barley researcher Book Wilke will share his experiences with growing malting barley and his project underway for double-cropping opportunities. The field day will conclude with a free networking lunch.
The following research projects will be on display and results from the 2017 trials will be shared.
- Eastern Spring Barley Nursery: 28 spring malting barley varieties tested for agronomic and malt quality performance.
- Winter Malting Barley Trial: 27 winter malting barley varieties tested for agronomic and malt quality performance.
- Winter Malting Barley Management Trials: Various management treatments are explored in this research, including fertility and fungicide.
Two other field day opporutnites are scheduled and can be registered for at the MSU Malting Barley Field Day page.
- Luckhardt Field Day, June 19, 6-8 p.m., Saline, Michigan
- Thumb Field Day, June 25, 5-7 p.m., Kawkawlin, Michigan
Registration is live and strongly encouraged for all three events, which are free of charge. Registration for each of the events can be accessed at the MSU Malting Barley Field Day page.
For questions about the event or for sponsorship opportunities, contact Sarah Hanks at lovettsa@msu.edu.
— Dean Baas, Michigan State University Extension
For more news from Michigan, click here.