What makes a change? Understanding the renewal process of barley cultivars on Finnish farms

The potential to adapt climate change varies depending on the crop and is considered low especially for barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in Europe. Barley most widely cultivated Finland, grown a wide range of climatic edaphic conditions. Access large diverse assortment locally well adapted, climate-resilient cultivars premise successful cultivation. has plenty cultivar choices Finland. However, switch “a hidden process,” this study, we therefore aimed: 1) increase understanding farmers’ renewal process; 2) study how yield growing time new have changed when farmers switched cultivars; 3) describe farms with willingness differ from those reluctant make change. interval long: 2018 were usually introduced Official Variety Trials as early 2008–2012. median age difference between replaced was seven years. probability switching systematically higher larger cereal area. New allocated primarily high-yielding field parcels owned by farmer. Farmers aspired an increased potential, but did not necessarily entail shift later maturity. We found strong spatial dependency if distance neighboring < 5 km. direction only toward breeds long high yielding. When returning older cultivar, it likely that breed meet farmer’s expectations, or season exceptionally challenging.