By Alice McFarlane

Strong Malting Barley Lines for Manitoba conditions

Nov 3, 2023 | 12:30 PM

A study shows new malting varieties are a perfect match for Manitoba production.

The Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC), in collaboration with the Manitoba Crop Alliance, found new Canadian malting barley varieties can be grown successfully in Manitoba.

With comparable yields and quality to the check variety, AAC Synergy, new varieties like AAC Connect, CDC Fraser, CDC Copper, CDC Churchill and AAC Prairie are the next generation of high-quality malt varieties for producers, according to CMBTC Managing Director Peter Watts.

“The study showed that these new varieties offer good agronomics and the high-end-use quality traits that are the hallmark of Canadian malting barley,” Watts said.

In the past, producers in Manitoba struggled with diseases like fusarium head blight in malting barley. The new varieties that boast improved disease packages, along with better fungicide products and improved management practices, fusarium has not been a significant issue in recent years.

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Producers growing malting barley varieties have the option of both malting and feed markets. With a malt barley variety, farmers gain an additional 2.5 million tonne market that they could not access with feed varieties. As well, malt barley generally offers a premium of around $1 per bushel or more.

Manitoba Crop Alliance CEO Pam de Rocquigny said Manitoba is one of the best barley-producing regions in the world.

“This success can be attributed to climate and geography, and our advanced farming practices,” de Rocquigny said.

Barley is a good cereal crop option, as it provides many benefits when included in crop rotations. Barley can be planted early in the growing season and is both competitive and high-yielding. Including barley in crop rotations can provide flexibility during harvest, as it matures early, allowing harvest to be spread out between crop types.

“In combination, these attributes make barley a great option for farmers,” de Rocquigny said.

More details on the study can be viewed here.

Several companies in Manitoba source malting barley to supply the domestic and international market including CMBTC members Cargill, Richardson, Viterra, Malteurop and Boortmalt, as well as other malting and grain companies in the province.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW