Australia
March 5, 2025

Grains Australia announces the results of malting barley classification program

Grains Australia is pleased to announce that two barley varieties, Cyclops and Neo CL, have been successfully accredited as malting barley.

Cyclops

Cyclops was submitted by Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) and was accredited as Malting Barley following evaluation by the Malting and Brewing Industry Barley Technical Committee (MBIBTC), under the Grains Australia malting barley classification program.

Cyclops is a high fermentability variety, has broad adaptation and is best suited to low to moderate rainfall regions across Australia. Growers seeking Cyclops seed are encouraged to contact AGT. More information about the variety is also available on the AGT website.

Neo CL

Neo CL was submitted by InterGrain and was accredited as Malting Barley following evaluation by the MBIBTC, under the Grains Australia malting barley classification program.

Neo CL is an imidazolinone tolerant, high fermentability barley variety. Neo CL is a mid maturing barley ideally suited to medium-high rainfall environments across Australia. Growers seeking Neo CL seed are encouraged to contact InterGrain. More information about the variety is also available on the InterGrain website.

Classification program

As with all previous accredited malting barley varieties, the market will determine the success of these new varieties. Grains Australia’s classification program is recognised as the required standard for the determination of all new Australian malting barley varieties.

Megan Sheehy, General Manager Classification for Grains Australia said, “We congratulate AGT and InterGrain and their teams which have worked to bring these new varieties to the marketplace.”

The Accredited Malting Varieties table has been updated to reflect these newly accredited varieties and the status of other varieties under evaluation. The Preferred Varieties table has also been updated.

For information on other barley varieties currently undergoing evaluation, click here.

Published: March 5, 2025