CBRC announces funding agreement

Western Canadian barley growers can expect continued development of new varieties

Representatives from the Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC) recently announced their commitment to a core barley breeding agreement with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

The CBRC is a collaboration between the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission, Manitoba Crop Alliance and Alberta Barley. The CBRC are committing more than $1.5 million over five years towards the agreement.

“In our minds, it's a good way to go because then we have more of a say into what happens with the breeding side of barley,” said Dave Bishop, the chair of Alberta Barley.

This agreement supports western Canadian barley growers through the development of new varieties, said Bishop.

“We can concentrate on aspects of the barley breeding program, such as standability, disease resistance and yield, that we consider to be in farmers’ best interest,” Bishop told Farms.com. “If we're going to continue to grow in agriculture, we have to keep improving the products, such as barley, that we produce.” This is agreement is great way to enhance that work, he added.

CBRC reps are excited for this new program, said Bishop.