Full approval for brewing and distilling coupled with high yields
Yield potential
Cocktail is the highest yielding variety with full IBD approval for brewing and distilling coupled with excellent brackling and lodging resistance.
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2007.
Cocktail has produced excellent yields consistently across all regions of the UK, ensuring its status as a reliable variety to grow.
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2007.
Disease resistance
Cocktail has good all round disease resistance to mildew and brown rust, with an improvedresistance to Rhynchosporium compared with Optic. However a managed fungicide programmeis recommended.
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2007.
Fungicide use
Getting early to mid season agronomy right is crucial to establishing a healthy crop.
- T0 - The T0 spray prevents diseases gaining a foothold in long growing seasons or where disease pressure is high. The use of Unix helps keep Rhynchosporium at bay.
- T1 - Timing is key for protecting the canopy during the plants’ main burst of growth. Kayak + Triazole provides broad spectrum disease control.
- T2 - Managing late season plant health is also vitally important to ensure a healthy harvest. This is the key time to protect grain fill with awns and green leaf areas being the key targets. Strobilurins protect against foliar diseases and Chlorothalonil has demonstrated control of biotic and abiotic spotting.
Core fungicide programme
- T0 - Unix and Tern(should be used wheredisease pressure is high)
- T1 - Kayak + Triazole
- T2 - Amistar Opti + Triazole
Agronomic information
Cocktail is a relatively short and very stiff variety with excellent resistance to brackling. Cocktail is also earlier maturing than Optic – 1 day earlier in England and up to 3 days in Scotland, therefore harvest management needs to take account of this.
Source: HGCA Recommended List 2007.
Growth habit
- Early Spring: Semi prostrate
- Tillering ability: High
- Maturity: Medium - Late (1 day earlier than Optic in England and 3 days earlier in Scotland)
Drilling dates
- Suitability for early drilling: December onwards
- Optimum drilling date: February – March (Scotland) January – February (England)
- Suitability for late drilling (April): Acceptable
Recommended sowing rate
Seed rates are dependent on soil conditions at the time of drilling, the more difficult the environment, thehigher the seed rate must be to compensate for potential plant loss. The table below shows the suggestednumber of seeds per square metre that should be planted under good conditions.
The table above should always be used in conjunction with the thousand grain weight of the seed to calculate the sowing rate.
Nitrogen application
Higher nitrogen inputs increase yields and recent advice has been to lift rates for producing higher grain nitrogen lager malt. However, end user requirements generally are shifting back towards <1.75N. Applying too much nitrogen pushes screenings and grain nitrogen too high – especially in seasons like 2002 and 2003 when weather conditions did not allow plants to fully utilise available nitrogen. Varieties have different optimum nitrogen rates, therefore balancing N inputs to end market, variety and season is key. While difficult to advise on exact nitrogen rates, many growers know how much to apply to Optic for a 1.65% grain nitrogen.
For Cocktail, the following is a rule of thumb.
- Cocktail: 120 – 135 kg/ha N (in most situations)
- Optic: 125 – 150 kg/ha N (in most situations)
Influence of nitrogen input on grain size and grain N levels
PGRs
Normally not required, however NFC advises their use on lush crops or very fertile sites. In these cases uselow rate Moddus (0.1 – 0.2 l/ha) at GS 29-30 to stabilise tillers and promote root development.
Quality
Fully approved by the IBD for Distilling and Brewing.
Grain quality
Specific weight: 70.2 kg/hl
Sieving % through: 2.25mm - 3.4%
Sieving % through: 2.5mm - 11.3%
Nitrogen content: 1.49N
Harvesting priority
As Cocktail is an early maturing variety it is always advisable to harvest the crop in the best condition, as soon as moisture is correct. As with all malting barleys, the variety should be kept separate to prevent contamination and to obtain the maximum premium from the end product.
Storage management
Correct storage of malting barley is a priority to ensure harvest quality remains. Malting barley should be at a moisture of below 14.5% to minimise the risk of moulds and dried in such a way so there is no damage to the germination.
Grain temperatures and moistures should be regularly checked to ensure quality is maintained and germination levels are kept at 98% plus.
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If you require any more information about this variety, please contact Syngenta Seeds on 01223 883400
Disclaimer
The information given in these pages is for general guidance only. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure it is accurate, it is out of necessity, of a general nature and variation in growing environment or climate and/or changes to legislation, regulations and best practice can render it inaccurate. Syngenta Seeds Limited cannot accept any liability arising out of or in conjunction with the use of this information. Crop protection products should be used in conjunction with manufacturers’ recommendations. Use pesticides safely – always read the label. Consult your agronomist for the most current advice.
