“Cereals provides a unique platform to connect innovation with real-world farming challenges.”
Malcolm Macaulay – The James Hutton Institute
The International Barley Hub (IBH), with its industry partners, will showcase a suite of ground-breaking research projects at Cereals 2026, taking place on 10th and 11th June at Diddly Squat Farm, Chipping Norton. They will highlight how cutting-edge science is reshaping the future of UK arable farming.
From next‑generation barley breeding to circular nutrient systems and low‑carbon fuel crops, the demonstrations offer a rare opportunity to see innovation translated directly into the field.
Barley researcher, Malcolm Macaulay, who will be part of the IBH team at the event, said, “Cereals provides a unique platform to connect innovation with real‑world farming challenges and to show how today’s research can shape tomorrow’s opportunities.
“This year we are focusing on four main areas: revolutionary barley research, innovative barley research to drive sustainable crop production, developing novel phytonutrients from whisky production for sustainable barley production, and using camelina as a sustainable aviation fuel.”
The International Barley Hub (IBH) promotes scientific discovery and innovation to future-proof barley, the predominant crop grown in Scotland, and is part of a £62m investment through the Tay Cities Region Deal (TCRD) a partnership between local, Scottish and UK governments and the private, academic and voluntary sectors. Climate change and other environmental challenges, coupled with an increasing demand for the crop, means that research into barley genetics and breeding is vitally important to safeguard production and ensure a sustainable future for this most critical of crops.
Key research highlights at the IBH stand are:
Barley R Evolve – pioneering BBSRC-funded research to speed up the domestication of wild barley
- Hutton scientists are re-introducing essential domestication traits into wild genetic backgrounds to create novel populations that combine natural resilience with the agronomic traits needed for modern farming.
- The work aims to unlock new levels of stress tolerance and crop robustness for future-proof farming.
Nitrogen use efficiency research with the Scotch Whisky Research Institute
- Field plots will feature diverse barley lines selected for their ability to maintain performance under reduced fertiliser inputs
- This work supports the dual goals of lowering production costs and reducing the environmental footprint of barley production.
Turning whisky by-products into sustainable phytonutrients
- A collaborative project with Chivas Brothers is exploring whether whisky-derived by-products can be repurposed as sustainable inputs for barley cultivation
- Early results indicate potential benefits for crop growth, soil microbiomes and the development of a circular, low-carbon supply chain for Scotland’s whisky industry
Camelina demonstration plots – a new crop for sustainable aviation fuel
- As a low-input cover crop that fits well into UK rotations, camelina offers farmers a route to supporting the transition to low-carbon fuels while improving soil health and system resilience.
Together, these projects reflect a shared ambition to deliver practical, scientifically robust solutions that strengthen productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability.
The IBH will be at stand 1032.
For more information contact Media Officer, Joyce Reid, joyce.reid@hutton.ac.uk, or on 07931 551 988