Horses love new Kraken Barley hay
June 21, 2021 All Regions
Awnless barley hay is in high demand and has become very well accepted within the performance horse community across many regions of Australia.
Situated at Warrill View in the Scenic Rim region of southeast Queensland, Robert Verrall and family are no strangers to producing quality hay for their long-term customers. Targeting the small bale horse feed market, it is essential to produce a high quality product consistently each year to maintain and grow their business clientele.
Newly released S&W Seed Company Kraken Forage Barley was trialled in 2020. It was sown at 65 kilograms per hectare under irrigation in late May. Rob reported, “The Kraken established quickly with plenty of tillers and looked impressive from the start.” Whilst irrigation was supplied at regular intervals the season has been extremely dry and tough. “Both varieties looked good considering the hard conditions but later in the season the Kraken continued to produce significantly more bulk,” Rob observed.
“The Kraken appears to be more robust in the stem and doesn’t look like lodging at all,” Rob claimed, “It also has green leaves right to the bottom of the plant – it looks like it will make bloody good hay!” In late September, the Kraken was cut and baled. Whilst in the windrow the Kraken held its colour very well, displaying very little bleaching.
Rob was very pleased with the results; “The Kraken yields were very impressive with approximately 200 small bales per acre being achieved. Kraken has produced beautiful, soft, consistent hay in the bale.” Clientele have indicated their horses love it and don’t leave any to waste. Rob confirmed, “Kraken looks like a winner and I’ll be growing it again.”
Learn more about S&W Kraken Forage Barley here
Image: Robert Verrall inspecting his Kraken Forage Barley hay bales, Warrill View Qld