AC Metcalfe has taken over as the two-row malting barley of choice for prairie farmers and foreign customers, according to figures released last week by the Canadian Wheat Board.

"I would say the industry does not want to be dependent on one dominant variety for 10 or 15 or 20 years," he said.

He expected Harrington will continue to decline and Metcalfe will remain the top variety for the next few years, but said other varieties such as CDC Kendall, Stein and CDC Stratus will also gain in popularity.

Brophy said Harrington served Canada well, playing a crucial role in establishing unique quality parameters for Canadian malt barley among overseas buyers.

But as plant breeders developed new varieties with superior yield, quality and agronomics, it became just as important to wean those customers off Harrington and convince them to switch to the new varieties.

28 January, 2003