The Idaho Barley Commission’s first yield contest reflects industry opportunities.

While overall beer consumption in the U.S. has seen a slight decline since the COVID-19 pandemic, demand is rising in Asia, Europe, and in Central and South America, according to a commission news release. Given the potential for increased exports, the contest aims to support U.S. barley’s “marketability, competitiveness and sustainability” by providing research, data and promotion.

“We encourage growers from all areas of the state and beyond, whether dryland or irrigated, to participate in this contest,” said Sydney Anderson, commission communications and program manager.

The program “will allow us to collect valuable data to enhance best practices, improve efficiency and drive innovation while rewarding growers for their efforts to push boundaries on yield,” she said.

A national rollout of the contest is planned this year. As it expands, Idaho growers are encouraged to “continue pushing the envelope on yield while maintaining high quality of barley,” according to the release.

Idaho in 2024 ranked first in U.S. barley production in bushels, followed by Montana, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Montana led in harvested acres, followed by Idaho.

Through the contest, the commission aims to enable growers to showcase their success whether they farm in a high-yielding area or a challenging environment.

Joey Wallace, with Driscoll Bros. Farm in Jerome, achieved the highest yield in the 2024 crop year at 241 bushels per acre, from winter variety Utah10201. Wallace is a grower for Scoular Barley MVP.

“Winning barley yields come from a solid overall program — good seed, fertility, and the right inputs — but it’s the details that make the biggest difference,” Wallace said. “Paying attention to timing, plant health and field conditions throughout the season is what really pushes yields to the top.”

Trevor Mulberry of Idaho Agri-Investments achieved the highest yield as a percentage above the average in a farm’s home county. He is based in Twin Falls County and also is a Scoular grower.

The percentage category, modeled after the National Wheat Yield Contest, aims to give growers a fair shot at winning regardless of their location, according to the release. The state’s diverse climate and soil conditions “make this category essential, recognizing agronomic skill and adaptability, not just the highest absolute yield.”

“High yielding winter barley seed selection (Utah10201), favorable weather conditions, and strategic crop rotation — this field followed corn — were key factors in achieving a winning yield,” Mulberry said. “Our agronomic practices with precision in fertilization, growth regulators, herbicides and timely irrigation all played a significant role.”

Dustin Miller of Mix Miller Farms, in Jerome County, achieved the highest yield in the spring irrigated category at 201 bushels per acre.

“Our success starts with a solid barley program built on good crop rotation, top-notch genetics like Molson Coors M-179, and a balanced fertility plan — 50-60% pre-plant with the rest applied foliar alongside herbicide, fungicide and growth regulator,” Miller said. A key was using a particular drill, as “the precision seed placement and excellent seed-to-soil contact really set our crop up for strong, even emergence and top yields.”

Information: sydney.anderson@barley.idaho.gov or bwilken@scoular.com. Anderson also can be reached at 208-697-7236, Brett Wilken at 208-749-8881.