Welcome to Cropcast Conversations hosted by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Julian South, Executive Director of The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain (MAGB). MAGB are the trade association of the UK malting industry and represent over 98% of UK malt production, buying around 2 million tonnes of UK malting barley, to make about 1.6 million tonnes of malt. Mark and Julian discuss harvest 2025, barley varieties, tariffs and trade deals and opportunities for the industry.

Episode Timestamps

01.38 Background and structure of MAGB

04.43 What is malt?

06.59 Distilling malts and brewing malts

07.50 Harvest 2025 round up

16.12 Evaluating and approving new barley varieties for malting

23.31 International Barley Hub

26.00 Biggest challenges for the malting barley industry

29.47 International trade

33.25 Tariffs and trade deals

35.04 Peat as a flavouring for malt

37.10 Finding out more: www.ukmalt.com

38.25 The malt industry in 10 years time

Resources

The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain

Malting Barley Committee - The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain

Contact: Julian South: 07967452838, [email protected]

SRUC - Soils & plants - Recommended lists

SAC Recommended Lists for Cereals 2025-26

International Barley Hub - The James Hutton Institute

Mycotoxins - The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain

For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]