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]