Tuomas barley delivered good yields despite summer challenges

Last summer, Reijo Toppari sowed Boreal’s new Tuomas barley for the first time. Its reputation for high yield raised expectations — and Tuomas delivered, despite weather challenges.

Toppari produces:

• turnip rape
• seed grain

in Kauhava, South Ostrobothnia — farming ~180 ha of barley, oats, wheat, and turnip rape.

Seed production is a family tradition: Toppari’s father specialised in seeds decades ago; Reijo has run the farm nearly 30 years.

“New varieties keep things interesting — you get to see how they perform against older ones.”

As an experienced seed grower, he wanted to test Tuomas^BOR:

• desired traits: high yield, strong straw, sufficient kernel size, earliness
• six‑row
• high demand expected

Tuomas also had to suit both zone 3 production and zone 4 customers.

Sowing went as planned

Tuomas was sown on 31 ha. Seed availability limited → seeding rate slightly lower. Nevertheless, Tuomas yielded ~6,000 kg/ha.

One field far exceeded others: “Spots produced up to 8,500 kg/ha — naturally moist, fertile soil.”

Fieldwork:

• sowing in mid‑May
• previous autumn: cultivation 15–20 cm
• spring: only 6 cm to conserve moisture

“Had it not rained a few days, I might have sown earlier — but later sowing ended up waiting less for rains.”

Secondary tillering delayed harvest

Early summer was harsh: northern winds stalled growth. Rains in late June triggered secondary tillering → delayed harvest.

Dry conditions complicated crop protection:

• fungicides applied only at heading
• Quelex Compo applied at Midsummer
• more weeds emerged after

One field saw heavy chickweed infestation.

“If I could redo something, it would be spraying weeds later — but the window passed.”

Toppari applied ~90 kg N/ha at sowing, and micronutrients with weed control. Tuomas stood well: “I didn’t dare use regulators later — but Tuomas still stood perfectly.”

Sowing area will increase

Toppari plans to increase Tuomas to 50 ha next summer. Despite challenges, Tuomas gave good yields and excellent straw.

“Tuomas has slightly taller straw than many barleys and tolerates drought better. It’s a nodding‑headed type — sheds moisture efficiently when rain comes.” Toppari encourages farmers to test new varieties beside older ones for fair comparison.

Cultivation details

Variety: Tuomas barley
Farmer: Reijo Toppari
Area: 31 ha
Soil: fine sand; organic to very high‑organic zones
Tillage: 19 May 2023
Sowing date: 20 May 2023
Seeding rate: 380 seeds/m²
Fertilisation: ~90 kg N at sowing; micronutrients (Wuxal Multifluid 1.5 l/ha)
Crop protection:
– Weed control — Quelex Compo
– Fungicide — Revytrex at heading
– No regulator
Harvest: 12–15 September 2023
Moisture: 18–19%
Yield: avg. 6,000 kg/ha (best spots 8,500 kg/ha)
Quality: hlw 67–68 kg; <2 mm 5%