Spring barley seeds in Germany showed a germination rate of only 75%

The shortage of barley seeds in Germany has led to the saturation of the market with low-quality seeds, agricultural specialist Klaus Strothmann reported on February 8 in the publication Agrarheute. The EU Commission has allowed the sale of seeds of reduced quality. It is allowed to supply 3,520 tons of seeds of 20 varieties of spring barley with a germination rate of 75% to the market. Oats - 24 varieties in the amount of 4850 tons with a germination rate of 75%. Beans - 15 varieties, 3600 tons and germination rate 70%. High humidity during the 2023 harvest led to grain sprouting and a drop in quality. Difficult weather conditions in the fall led to a reduction in sown areas by 300 thousand hectares compared to last year. The lion's share of these areas will be occupied by spring crops, especially corn. Demand for spring malting barley and oats is growing. Both crops promise good returns this season. IG Plant Breeding director Franz Beutl expects the measure to meet the demand ...