NewsLine by Cole's Ag on March 13, 2024, 8:00am

Study reveals Manitoba Crop Alliance crop types are major drivers of Manitoba economy

March 13, 2024 (Carman, MB) – Today, Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) released data highlighting the significant contributions of its crop types to the Manitoba economy.

MCA contracted information services company GlobalData to conduct a study assessing the impact of Manitoba-grown wheat (excluding durum), barley, grain corn, sunflower and flax on the province’s economy.

Together, these five crop types account for a large part of Manitoba’s agriculture industry. Several of these crops are also the foundations for important food industries, both within the province and beyond.

GlobalData found that the total economic impact of MCA’s five crop types averaged roughly $6.9 billion over the past three years, including more than 28,000 Manitoba jobs and $2.5 billion in wages.

“This study shows the major role our crop types play in the economic well-being of the province and the country,” says MCA chair Robert Misko, who farms east of Roblin, MB.

“As farmers, we have long known our position in the system and how we contribute to the province’s success, but it is heartening to see those contributions laid out in a measurable way that anyone can understand.”

For a full breakdown of the study, including summary data and in-depth reports for each crop type, visit mbcropalliance.ca/economic-impact.

This economic assessment was modelled after work done last year by Cereals Canada on wheat, barley, durum and oats. Visit cerealscanada.ca/economic-impact for more information.

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For more information, please contact:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager                
403-589-3529
cole@mbcropalliance.ca

About Manitoba Crop Alliance:
Manitoba Crop Alliance is a non-profit organization established Aug. 1, 2020, representing more than 7,700 farmer members. Manitoba Crop Alliance puts their farmer members first and strives to continuously improve the competitiveness and profitability of all crops represented by the organization by focusing on four main areas: research, agronomy, market access and development, and communications. It is through investment in these key areas that Manitoba Crop Alliance can ensure wheat, barley, corn, sunflower and flax are sustainable production choices for Manitoba farmers. For more information, visit mbcropalliance.ca.

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on February 20, 2024, 10:20am

Media Advisory – Register today for the 2024 Barley Symposium

Feb. 20, 2024 – If you are a barley enthusiast or Canadian agriculture aficionado, the 2024 Barley Symposium is for you!

Brought to you by the Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute, Canadian Grain Commission, Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC) and the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre, the event will take place at the Delta Bessborough in beautiful Saskatoon, SK. This year’s theme is “From the Ground Up” and attendees will be treated to exclusive presentations on the latest and greatest research advancements along the whole value chain in one of Canada’s most profitable crops.

“As a coalition, we are proud to showcase researchers who are on the leading edge of barley innovation,” said CBRC chair Cody Glenn from his farm near Climax, SK. “This year’s symposium will feature a rare mix of knowledge transfer directly from researchers and networking opportunities that are not to be missed.”

The symposium will run from Feb. 25-27, 2024, and include relevant topics of discussion such as “Emerging Biotic Threats,” “Advances in established biotic threat management,” “Progress in variety development and agronomy,” and “New technology to advance variety development and agronomy” – to name a few. There will also be a poster session with projects from some of Canada’s most dedicated barley researchers, accompanied by opportunities to mix and mingle with a “Who’s Who” of Canadian agriculture. 

More information regarding registration and accommodation is available at barleyresearch.ca.

Early birds can also sign up for a free tour of the Canadian Light Source, one of the largest science projects in Canada’s history. Their facility speeds up electrons to produce intensely bright synchrotron light that allows scientists to study materials at a molecular level.

CBRC is a national not-for-profit organization with a focus on improving profitability and competitiveness for western Canadian barley through long-term research investments.

For more information:

Shelley Lagassé
Canadian Barley Research Coalition
P: 204.688.8399
E: slagasse@barleyresearch.ca

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on January 11, 2024, 10:29am

SaskBarley Board Elects New Chair


January 11, 2024 (Saskatoon, SK) – The Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley) Board announced today that they have elected a new Chair to replace Keith Rueve, whose time as a director was ending after two consecutive terms.  

Cody Glenn was elected as Chair, and Matt Enns as Vice-Chair.

“I would like to thank Keith for his leadership and commitment to Saskatchewan’s barley producers,” says Glenn, a certified seed grower and owner of Southline Ag Services in Climax, SK. “I look forward to working with our strong team at the board and staff level as we continue to make investments that grow Saskatchewan’s barley industry.” 

Enns was re-elected as a director in the recent 2023 Board elections. He operates a multi-generational grain farm near Rosthern, SK, and is also a co-founder of Maker’s Crafted Malts.

“As I continue my time with SaskBarley, I am excited for all of the initiatives and critical investments in research that we have on the go,” Enns adds. “The decisions we make as a Board will always be in support of barley producers and with an eye to an even brighter future.” 

Glenn and Enns will assume their roles immediately for a one-year term. Newly elected directors Chad Ferguson (Naicam, SK) and Gordon Moellenbeck (Englefeld, SK) join Zenneth Faye (Foam Lake) and Maurice Berry (Carievale) to complete the board of six.  

For more information on SaskBarley and its investments in research, market development and advocacy initiatives, or to sign up for the organization’s newsletter, visit www.saskbarley.com.

For more information:

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
P: 306-250-1099
E: cole@saskbarley.com

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on November 23, 2023, 1:04pm

CMBTC publishes 2024-25 Recommended Malting Barley Varieties List, including market insights and trends


Nov. 23, 2023 (Winnipeg, MB) – The Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC) has published its 2024 – 2025 list of recommended malting barley varieties. The guide offers producers and industry insights into preferred varieties based on agronomics, quality and market demand. 

The 2024-25 list contains five main varieties: AAC Synergy, CDC Copeland, AAC Connect, CDC Fraser and for the first time CDC Churchill. 

As a top global exporter of malting barley and processed malt, Canada is recognized for its high-quality varieties and consistent performance in processing. Newer varieties such as AAC Connect and CDC Fraser are steadily gaining acceptance in the malting and brewing industries, although the process takes time, says Peter Watts, Managing Director at the CMBTC.  “End users want assurance that any new variety introduced into their operations will align with their process and end-product. Brewers are very conscious of quality due to its direct impact on efficiencies and end-use characteristics including sensory attributes”.

“With improved agronomics and disease resistance, new varieties have proven themselves to be high performers in Canadian fields, driving increased area. But there must be matching supply and demand,” says Jon White, CMBTC Board chair. “It’s the classic chicken or egg scenario—insufficient supply makes it challenging to source and sell enough quantities to international customers at a cost-effective rate. Yet, for producers to expand adoption, they want to ensure there is a market.”

As a result, the CMBTC works closely with end-users to test new varieties at a micro, pilot and production scale. “We provide comprehensive quality and performance data, supply samples and even facilitate commercial trials with new varieties in our export markets to expedite acceptance” says Watts.

Canada’s premium value proposition is maintained by high standards that underpin the production of top-quality barley. It is recommended that producers use certified seed to maintain varietal purity and to help ensure their barley is selected for malt. Meeting that minimum 95 per cent purity requirement threshold is critical as maltsters process batches consisting of single barley varieties to ensure consistent and high quality.

This year’s list also contains changes that provide additional information detailing the demand differences between domestic and international categories. Newer varieties tend to be adopted more quickly in the domestic malting industry, whereas older varieties may be phased out sooner compared with international markets. The breakout endeavours to give producers a better understanding of the marketplace. 

“Given the growing market acceptance of our new varieties and their improved agronomics, I would encourage producers who plan to grow barley in 2024 to consider a new malt variety if they have not already,” says Watts.  

All varieties on the list are registered with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and are designated by the Canadian Grain Commission as malting varieties. 

View the CMBTC 2023-24 Recommended Malting Barley Varieties list

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For more information: 

Peter Watts, Managing Director, CMBTC
Phone: 204-983-1981 Email: pwatts@cmbtc.com

About the CMBTC – Founded in 2000, the CMBTC is a national, independent, member-based, non-profit association that combines technical services, market development, support for the Canadian barley value chain, customer relations and advocacy for Canada’s barley industry in a model that maximizes the opportunity to grow Canada’s markets for barley and malt and to create value.

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