Winter Malting Barley Production

Winter malting barley requires careful management to maximize grain yield and to maintain high-quality grain for malting purposes. Ohio farmers need to carefully consider growing winter malting barley, as it may not be suitable for all farming operations. Malt-quality barley must meet several criteria to avoid being rejected by the malt facility, and this risk may be too high for certain farmers because there are limited markets in Ohio for barley that does not meet the requirements for malt. Malting barley is not sold through traditional grain elevators like corn, soybean, and wheat, so contracts or agreements should be in place before planting. Special considerations for post-harvest handling include drying capability, grain cleaning, and delivering in totes (versus hopper trucks). Each farmer must understand the unique challenges of growing malt-quality barley before contracting and purchasing seed.