MarketsFarm — Feed grain bids in Western Canada have held relatively steady over the past month despite large moves in many outside markets. However, a number of factors may weigh on values heading into the spring. Feed barley is trading in the $4-$4.95 per bushel area in Alberta, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire data. Prices […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Spring rally unlikely
Malt barley recommendations for 2020
Reading Time: < 1 minute AAC Connect and CDC Bow have made the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre’s short list of recommended varieties for the coming year. The duo joins longtime favourites CDC Copeland, AAC Synergy, and AC Metcalfe on the short list. Those three accounted for 88 per cent of insured Alberta barley acres in 2019 — Copeland was […] Read more
Malt driving demand for soft white spring wheat
Soft white spring acres in Alberta have rebounded thanks to the craft beer movement
Reading Time: 5 minutes Soft white wheat acres are starting to creep up in Alberta, thanks to the burgeoning craft beer movement. “There’s been a growing market for malting soft white wheat,” said Geoff Backman, markets manager with Alberta Wheat and Barley. “It’s been driven by demand from the craft brewing industry, and that’s a nice value-added market on […] Read more
Malt barley prices remain stable
MarketsFarm — Malt barley prices have held steady throughout the 2019 growing season as global demand remains strong. Malt prices in 2018 were driven about 15 per cent higher due to a global shortage. According to Farmlink, drought conditions caused Australia to produce “one of the smallest barley crops in recent memory.” The crops were […] Read more
Malt barley acreage predicted to increase
MarketsFarm — Industry experts expect malt barley acreage in Western Canada to increase by about five per cent this year, supported by strong prices for both feed and malt. “All indications suggest we’ll see an increase in malt barley, as well as feed,” confirmed Peter Watts of the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre. In light […] Read more
Canada’s malt barley courts two different buyers
CNS Canada — The rising North American craft beer sector and strong demand out of China are both good news stories for Canada’s malt barley sector. However, those two customers have different needs which can also create some challenges, said industry officials speaking Tuesday at the annual Grain World conference in Winnipeg. Lorelle Selinger, North […] Read more
Harvest delays prompt questions about malt barley supplies
CNS Canada — The long, wet harvest of 2018 has probably spelled the end for most hopes that barley still in fields will meet malting specifications. “I really suspect that anything left in the field now, any barley now, will not be malting quality,” said Jeff Nielsen, a farmer near Olds, Alta., and director with […] Read more
Dry weather not a problem for malt barley crop, so far
CNS Canada – The prairie malting barley crop is faring reasonable well in the hot, dry weather, but crop watchers will have a better idea of protein content in a couple weeks. “We’ve yet to see what this crop is. I think we’re a little early yet. Indications are that it could be a little […] Read more
‘Terroir’ turns everyday malt into ‘luxury barley’
From central Oregon to Daysland, growers are turning a commodity crop into something unique and special
Reading Time: 6 minutes Whisky from Scotland’s Isle of Islay. Champagne from its namesake region of France. Craft malt from Daysland, Alberta. People will pay a premium for all sorts of specialty products — as long as they like the taste. The brewing industry isn’t quite there yet, but it could be. Just ask Seth Klann. “We’ll buy wine […] Read more
Bold new plan aims to generate some new love for barley
New action plan targets seven million barley acres and yields of 95 bushels per acre by 2028
Reading Time: 3 minutes The current state of Canada’s barley industry is grim. “Barley’s piece of the pie is shrinking,” said Shannon Sereda, manager of market development and policy for Alberta Barley. “It’s no longer in a dominant position like it once was in Western Canada.” Barley acres across the Prairies have been in a long-term decline, Sereda said […] Read more
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