Canada: Western Canadian barley producers invest C$2.4 million in barley breeding

Funding from the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association, Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission, Alberta Barley, and the Western Grains Research Foundation will help improve barley varieties into the future, Pembina Valley Online reported on September 21.

C$2.4 million will be directed to the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre (CDC) over the next 5 years.

“Manitoba barley growers are pleased to partner with barley producers across Western Canada to provide funding for variety development work that will improve the profitability and long term sustainability of barley,” said Fred Greig, MWBGA chair.

Kofi Agblor, the managing director for the CDC says the funding provides stability to the program for maintaining long term qualified technical staff, as well as resources for market development and use in the breeding program.

The CDC has released more than 70 malt, feed and food barley varieties since 1971, including CDC Harrington, CDC Copeland and CDC Austenson.

22 September, 2016