Coopers partnership helps barley rebound

Westminster barley has been growing in acreage for the past two seasons after Adelaide-based Coopers Brewery negotiated with KI Pure Grain to produce some for its malting plant.

The malt has been used in the production of Coopers Extra Strong Vintage Ale, bottled mid-2018, with some also sold on to craft brewers.

KIPG chief executive officer Shane Mills said barley had been popular on the island “many years ago” but in the past five or six years there had been a shift away.

“We weren’t getting the return for what we were growing,” he said.

In the arrangement’s second year, malt barley production has doubled from 250 hectares last year to 500ha this year and Mr Mills said there was the potential to expand further.

He said the increase in production was driven by some farmers increasing their acreage sown, as well as some new farmers joining the scheme this year.

One farmer growing Westminster barley for Coopers is Ben Pontifex, Kingscote, who is growing about 300ha this year and hoping to grow more in the future.

He said he had not grown a malt barley in years due to its poor returns but welcomed the “tremendous benefit” in having another cereal option with a premium above normal malt barley prices.

Mr Pontifex said they normally grow broad beans, canola and soft wheat, with the barley making up about 10 per cent of their operation, with wheat areas reduced.

He said the Westminster variety was well-suited to their climate with good waterlogging tolerance, while early vigour made it a useful tool in weed management.

“It seems to be ticking a few boxes for what we’re trying to do,” he said.

Mr Mills said the malt variety had been selected in part for its suitability for the local conditions.

“It’s a European variety that really suits the climate on KI,” he said. “It can get a bit wet in winter and Westminster handles that quite well.”

Mr Pontifex said he had managed nitrogen applications to ensure it met the malt specifications.

“It’s been a very good crop – it could’ve used one more rain at the end of spring but will still make the grade,” he said.

After harvest, the barley is classified at the KIPG facility as malt 1 or malt 2.

Mr Mills said grain that does not make these grades can be sold as feed barley but so far that has not been an issue this season.

He estimates about 1700 tonnes to 1800t has already been delivered.

Mr Mills said KIPG’s goal was to continue seeking out niche markets for their produce.

“It helps offset the costs of freight to get grain to the mainland,” he said.