CDC Copeland and AC Metcalfe are the undisputed heavyweights of Western Canada’s malt barley scene, accounting for 78 per cent of malt acres this year. But both are two decades old and new varieties such as CDC Bow — which has improved standability and lower beta-glucan content — may challenge that duopoly.

Better barley: There’s a long wish list for brewers and feeders

Yield is No. 1 for growers but elements such as ‘Lox,’ beta-glucan, and acid detergent fibre are key, too

Reading Time: 5 minutes Ask most barley producers what they want in a variety and the answers won’t surprise you: Better yield, standability and disease resistance. But when it comes to buyers, it gets a little more complex. Both foreign and domestic customers — especially beer makers, but also feeders — are looking for traits few people even thought […] Read more

How do you get your agronomy info?

How do you get your agronomy info?

Reading Time: < 1 minute How do you stay up to date with the latest advances in growing wheat? What sources of information do you consider the most trustworthy? Those are two things, among others, that the Wheat Initiative’s Agronomy Expert Working Group wants to know. Alberta Agriculture research scientist Sheri Strydhorst is one of three international “champions” investigating how […] Read more





Photo: File/Greg Berg

Prairie oats market stable, but strong

Oats bids in Western Canada have stabilized for the time being, as the weather concerns that propped up the market at the beginning of the month are largely factored in. “It’s a pretty stable market. Stable, but strong,” said Scott Shiels, of Grain Millers Inc. in Yorkton, Sask. Prices moved up at the beginning of […] Read more






New malt varieties are being developed that nearly match the yields of feed and that will create new interest in barley, says breeder Aaron Beattie.

Is barley making a comeback?

The crop doesn’t generate a lot of excitement but that may be changing

Reading Time: 5 minutes If you stopped looking at Prairie acreage numbers two years ago, you can be forgiven for thinking barley is not the sexiest crop choice out there. Although it grabs lots of Alberta acres because of malting and feedlot demand, the barley sector is perceived to be slow to develop new varieties and tethered to inflexible […] Read more

Prairie cereals summit coming in December

Prairie cereals summit coming in December

Event takes place Dec. 11-12

Reading Time: < 1 minute The second annual Prairie Cereals Summit will take place Dec. 11-12, 2019 at the Banff Springs Hotel. The event, put on by Alberta Barley and Alberta Wheat, will feature a presentation on international trade by former Canadian Alliance leader Stockwell Day. As well, former CropLife CEO Ted Menzies will discuss the creation of an agricultural […] Read more