Spartacus barley. Image: Syngenta

SPARTACUS has become the most commonly planted barley variety in South Australia, according to planting survey results from the state’s bulk-handler, Viterra.

The survey attracted 411 respondents across the state, and showed barley hectares have risen by 4 per cent from last year, making up 27pc of the total crop.

Viterra said the survey results showed a noticeable swing to Spartacus this year, with a 13 per cent increase in hectares planted to the newly-accredited malt variety, which accounted for one third of the respondent’s total barley area.

Running a close second in area was the Compass malting variety on 31pc.

The Ardrossan region on the Yorke Peninsula has indicated one of the biggest swings to barley, up 14.2pc to 27.7pc of cropped area.

The survey showed South Australian wheat and canola areas as little changed from last year, accountingfor 44pc and 9pc of the state’s crop respectively.

Lentil plantings have dropped slightly to 9pc, with the Nipper variety making up 74pc of plantings.

Results of the survey will be used to review Viterra’s preliminary segregation plan in conjunction with discussions with site committees.

Domestic diversion

The Viterra system received 800 tonnes of grain last month, and total intake from the crop planted in 2017 now sits at 5.6 million tonnes (Mt).

Of this, 4.9Mt has been exported from Viterra’s ports network, but the company said domestic demand was likely to absorb tonnage in the near future.

“With dry conditions being experienced in the eastern states, more grain is expected to be redirected eastward rather than for export.”

Source: Viterra