USA: Barley producers can share views on barley production

Five thousand current and past barley producers in North Dakota, Idaho and Montana will be able to share their views on barley production by completing a survey assembled by major barley stakeholder groups, according to SeedQuest news release of December 7.

The survey is a cooperative effort of the Institute of Barley and Malt Sciences (IBMS) at North Dakota State University, Barley Coordinated Agricultural Project, Idaho Barley Commission, North Dakota Barley Council, and Montana Wheat and Barley Committee.
Members of the IBMS board of directors represent barley producer, and malting and brewing industry groups. The independent nature of the survey should lend validity to the results.

Questions on the survey address the effectiveness of producer support, available information, factors influencing the decision to produce barley and overall barley satisfaction levels.

One anticipated outcome of the survey is that it will identify areas where producers need additional information or support.

This could include aspects of barley production, varieties, malt quality specifications and components of the farm program. In addition, the survey responses will help identify the most effective means for communicating newly developed information.

Finally, the information gathered will help inform barley processors and policymakers on the concerns of barley producers.

This is a very important component in addressing declining national barley production, according to those who developed the survey.

Karen Hertsgaard, IBMS barley information specialist, is coordinating the survey effort. The USDA's North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service mailed forms in November and will follow up with telephone interviews in December. The survey should take about 15 to 30 minutes to complete. Those who return it by Dec. 15 will be entered into a drawing for gasoline gift certificates and other prizes. Prizes were donated by the American Malting Barley Association, Anheuser-Busch, Cargill Malt, International Malting Co., Molson-Coors Brewing and Rahr Malting Co.

08 December, 2006