Barley growing systems towards the net zero economy

Progression to the net zero carbon economy is a major driver across all UK industry sectors. In the barley supply chain - from crop breeding, farming and processing - stakeholders are seeking sector-wide reduction in carbon footprints whilst maintaining barley productivity and product quality. Taking the example of malt whisky production, emissions from barley growing account for almost 40% of the sector's total carbon release. Whilst processes of malting and distilling, and brewing, have potential to reduce carbon emissions through renewable energy sources, barley growing systems may require several different strategies involving soil management, fertilizer use and agronomy in-order to become more efficient and carbon neutral. The aim of this project is to re-design barley growing systems to support the whole barley supply chain's transition to the net zero economy.



Working with field experiments under a range of different weather and soil conditions, spring barley growing systems will be dissected as contributions from the genotype (G), environment (E) and management (M) to overall production efficiency and reducing the crop's carbon footprint. Crop and soil measures based on carbon and nitrogen flow will be coupled with the 'Agrecalc' carbon accounting tool to allow the study to quantify G x E x M effects, including a crop's agronomic value and potential for new management such as reduced or novel fertilizer use. This detailed analysis of the growing system will be linked to the wider barley supply chain through case studies hosted by two BARIToNE commercial partners - Chivas Bothers and Opportunity NE. The Glenlivet Estate case study hosted by Chivas Brothers along with analysis of grain supply and farm demonstration through Opportunity NE will frame outputs from the project. Throughout the research programme, the student will have opportunity to engage with a broader programme of strategic research at SRUC and JHI in agronomy, crop improvement and carbon accounting.



This project which connects farming with crop improvement and grain processing will support BARIToNE's strategic aim to safeguard the production of local and sustainable high-quality barley. Expected outputs for barley growing systems towards the net zero economy will include guidance to farmers, connectivity in carbon accounting between grain production and end usage, and new crop growing protocols to connect barley growing to plant breeding and variety testing.