To compare and contrast the suitability of some emerging and current commercial barley varieties for the Wimmera region.

The sites were much lower yielding and produced poorer quality grain compared to the four sites evaluated in 2003. Yields over the three 2004 sites ranged from 1.4- 2.3t/ha compared to a mean yield across the 2003 sites of 4.4t/ha. Quality was also much poorer with only one of the three sites, Lubeck, producing malt grade barley. This site received more rainfall throughout the growing season than the other two sites and all varieties performed the best here, producing higher yields and better quality.