It has a high test weight and the potential this year to be categorised in the malted variety.

"It was a tough spring, but I'm pleasantly surprised," the Catombal Park farmer said looking back on a dry September and October.

"Barley tends to handle these conditions best."

Mr Edwards doesn't focus so much on wheat these days, but it was the first year he tried the new Compass variety of barley, suggested by his eldest son Jack who works as an agronomist in Horsham.

He was very happy with the outcome.

"It has exceptional straw strength," he said.

"I feel it has reached its potential but know that this crop can reach 9 tonne per hectare under irrigation."

"I believe this has gone over 7 tonne."

Mr Edwards is now looking forward to seeing how this variety performs next year and has also been growing beardless barley for his stock.