Irrigated Winter Malting Barley Cultivar Performance in Cold Desert and Cold Semiarid Environments

Growers in the grain-producing continental cold desert and cold semiarid regions are interested in the local adaptation of winter malting barley (Hordeum vulgare) as a potential alternative crop to winter wheat (Triticum aestivum). Variety selection for specific environments is a critical first step in producing high yields of winter malting barley at the same production costs. Twenty-two winter malting barley entries were planted under irrigation in randomized complete blocks at New Mexico State University’s Agricultural Science Center at Farmington (cold desert; 3 replicates) and Rex E. Kirksey Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari (cold semiarid; 4 replicates) in September 2023 and harvested for grain in July 2024. All entries at Tucumcari were heavily grazed by wildlife over winter, which may have influenced grain production of some varieties, although there was no site × cultivar interaction for grain yield, which ranged from 2558 to 4157 kg ha−1. Irrigation and N fertilization differences between sites likely influenced (p < 0.0001) grain yield and grain protein (4421 and 2172 kg grain yield ha−1 at Farmington and Tucumcari, respectively; 109 and 93 g grain protein kg−1 at Farmington and Tucumcari, respectively). Future research in cold desert and semiarid regions should evaluate cultivar differences regarding irrigation and nutrient management.