averaged around 90 bushels an acre and displayed the best tolerance for the Alabama climate. Four varieties were planted in November 2022, representing the second round of variety trials. In addition to the original variety tri- al sites, candidate varieties will also be planted at collab- orating farms* throughout the state. The production and success of each barley variety will be monitored through- out several growing seasons. Eventually, the best barley varieties will be released to farmers to grow on their land. Another important part of the pipeline is helping con- nect farmers with potential customers for their barley. The collaborative team partnered with Old South Malt House in Cullman, Alabama, to process barley from the field trials and distribute it to breweries for brewing trials. The team is working with multiple Alabama breweries to give them access to locally grown barley. It will take time to deter- mine the best way for local brewers to figure out the best way to process the grains, so the perfect Alabama-based barley beer has yet to be made. ■ * Two Auburn University field stations: Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center in Belle Mina, AL, and E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter, AL, in collaboration with the Auburn University Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) Variety Trial program led by Henry Jordan; and the Winifred Thomas Agricultural Research Station at Alabama A&M University in collaboration with Associate Professor Dr. Ernst Cebert and Dr. Xianyan Kuang. * In 2022, the team partnered with Bevel Farms, Blessings Farms, Lazy O Farms, Martin Farms, and Bridgeforth Farms to plant barley trials.
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