By Alice McFarlane

Western barley growers support the development of new varieties

Sep 15, 2020 | 2:38 PM

The Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC) will provide $2.7 million to the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC).

Through this agreement new barley varieties with improved agronomics, disease resistance and end-use quality will be developed.

The CBRC is a collaboration among the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley), Alberta Barley and Manitoba Crop Alliance, formerly known at the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association.

CBRC interim chair and SaskBarley chair Jason Skotheim said the agreement ensures western Canadian barley farmers can expect new and improved barley varieties from a world-class, multi-million-dollar breeding program.

“This investment into the CDC breeding program will produce deliverables that will allow our farmers to stay competitive,” Skotheim said in a media release. “The last round of producer funding provided to the CDC saw the registration of two new malting varieties, one feed variety and one hulless variety.”

Raiders lose 5-4

Second period woes plague Raiders against Broncos

10h ago

Riders win

Roughriders down Redblacks 29-16 to vault over Lions in CFL's West Division

16h ago

Unmarked Graves

Eight potential graves found near site of former George Gordon First Nation residential school

23h ago

Three new varieties will be released in the next five years. Skotheim said this will have major benefits to farmers.

“The keys to past success within the CDC barley breeding program have been the skilled staff, the in-house malt and molecular marker labs and the ability to evaluate large numbers of breeding lines,” Skotheim said.

Manitoba Crop Alliance chair Fred Greig said it is important for breeders to secure long-term funding when developing new varieties and programs aimed at improving the profitability of barley farms a major priority.

“We are thrilled to be doing our part to help make this possible through this collaboration with our sister organizations in Saskatchewan and Alberta,” Greig said.

Alberta Barley Chair David Bishop said this will lead to enhanced barley varieties and will assure barley producers have access to competitive and profitable varieties.

“Stronger agronomic packages and higher yields combined with quality traits that meet the needs of the brewing and malting industry will be the return on this barley breeding investment,” Bishop said.

CBRC was formed earlier this year. Finalizing the agreement with the CDC was the first order of business and is part of the organization’s goal of facilitating long-term investments aimed at improving profitability.

The organization will also provide funding for regional research projects.

–

alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF