Successful Malt Accreditation for Neo​ CL barley

Growers, marketers, maltsters, brewers, and beer drinkers are set to celebrate InterGrain’s latest malt-accredited barley variety, Neo​ CL.

Following Grains Australia’s announcement on 5 March 2025 that InterGrain’s Clearfield® barley, Neo​ CL, has been officially accredited as a malting barley variety, InterGrain CEO Tress Walmsley expressed excitement about the news.

“InterGrain has always focused on breeding barleys that meet the demands of the entire barley supply chain,” Ms. Walmsley said.

“Neo CL represents a significant advancement in barley breeding. It offers substantial yield improvement compared to current barley varieties, outstanding disease resistance, and exceptional malt quality, making it a game-changer for growers in medium to high rainfall production zones.”

InterGrain Barley Breeder David Moody highlighted Neo​ CL’s impressive attributes, combining exceptionally high yield with a robust disease resistance package and IMI tolerance.

In addition to its impressive yield potential and disease resistance, Neo​ CL boasts high levels of grain plumpness, good lodging tolerance and low-moderate head loss risk.

“Neo CL is an extraordinary variety that we are very proud to provide to growers, maltsters, and brewers,” said Mr Moody.

It also possesses a more weed-competitive plant type compared to other IMI tolerant varieties like Spartacus CL​ and Maximus​ CL.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime find in a breeding program that evaluates tens of thousands of lines annually. We fast-tracked the breeding process to get this exceptional variety out to growers as quickly as possible and we are pleased it now has the tick of approval from Grains Australia as a malt accredited variety.”

“We have been actively undertaking market development initiatives to prime our main malting markets for the introduction of Neo CL.  This work will be accelerated now that the accreditation has been announced.

“Feedback from the malting and brewing industry has been positive.  Neo CL has significantly higher diastase levels than RGT Planet which are important for dominant export markets.  Neo CL also has much lower levels of wort haze than RGT Planet, a trait that caused some concern for some brewers.  Overall, Neo CL will strengthen Australia’s reputation as a supplier of high-quality malting barley.

“The Neo CL malt success story reflects the hard work of InterGrain’s team, including our breeding team, operations, laboratory, marketing and support staff, plus growers who welcomed the opportunity to support the market development and accreditation processes over the last two seasons,” Mr Moody said.

One of those market development growers, Justin Ruwoldt from Glenvale Farms in the Victorian Wimmera was very pleased with how Neo​ CL performed over the past two seasons.

Justin’s Neo​ CL has significantly outyielded RGT Planet​ and has proved to have a superior grain quality package.

“We have found Neo has more stable grain quality than Planet and a higher frequency of making malt last harvest, with improved test weight,” said Justin.

“We have been impressed with how Neo held on in the tough finishes we have experienced over the past two seasons that we have grown Neo.

“The prostrate growth of Neo suits our system and provides good ground cover for weed control.”

Harvest efficiency of Neo​ CL is also a big bonus for Glenvale Farms.

“Neo had a lower biomass and height compared to Planet, which provided good standability, reduced slug pressure and less straw, resulting in higher harvest efficiency.

“Neo receiving malt accreditation is great news for us, to have a variety that yields incredibly well and now with the opportunity to produce malt.

“We appreciate being involved in the market development of new varieties. It’s been incredibly rewarding and I’m passionate about new products coming to market and getting a heads up on how to grow them,” said Justin.

Neo​ CL’s malt accreditation will come into effect this harvest, with Neo​ CL growers set to reap the benefits of this new development.

For more information about Neo​ CL barley, please visit our website or contact your local InterGrain Territory Manager.