News Releases

February 27, 2024 (Saskatoon, SK) –The Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC), in a funding partnership with the Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute (BMBRI),has committed $1.5 million over seven years to launch the Grant for Research Optimization for Western Canadian Barley(GROW) Agronomy Program.

Dr. Hiroshi Kubota, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada based in Lacombe, AB, will be the lead for the program for the next seven years.

The GROW Barley partners launched a competitive application process late last year and asked researchers to share their vision to advance barley agronomy across the Prairies over the next seven years. Matching funds will be sought to further the results that can be achieved through this program.

“The idea for GROW Barley grew from recognizing that barley agronomic research was needed to keep barley competitive with other crops. Barley is a unique crop with performance differences between it and other crops, and needs barley-specific agronomic research,” said Cody Glenn, Chair of CBRC and farmer from Climax, SK.

 “The industry cannot fully realize the genetic gains from new varieties without adapting agronomic practices to match the genetic potential of new varieties.”

The program will connect the lead researcher with the steering committee annually to collaborate and adapt the program over the course of the seven years. The first field season will be in 2025.

Founded in 2020, CBRC is a collaboration between Alberta Grains, SaskBarley and Manitoba Crop Alliance with a focus on improving profitability and competitiveness for western Canadian barley through long-term research investments.

©2021 Alberta Wheat & Barley Commissions – The Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC), a collaboration between Alberta Grains, the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley), and Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA), has committed more than $1.5 million over five years to a core barley breeding agreement with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

The agreement ensures that western Canadian farmers will have continued access to premium barley varieties from AAFC for years to come.

Read the rest of this news release here.

©2021 Alberta Wheat & Barley Commissions – The Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC) announced today it will invest $2.7 million over five years in the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC) through a core breeding agreement to develop barley varieties with improved agronomics, disease resistance and end-use quality. 

The CBRC is a collaboration among the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley), Alberta Grains and Manitoba Crop Alliance (formerly the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association).

Read the rest of this news release here.

©2021 Alberta Wheat & Barley Commissions – The Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley), Alberta Grains and Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association (MWBGA) announced today the launch of the Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC), a national not-for-profit organization that will facilitate long-term investments aimed at improving profitability and competitiveness for Western Canadian barley farmers.

CBRC will facilitate a collaborative approach to funding regional and national research projects in variety development and agronomy, including core barley breeding agreements with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC). CBRC will also provide funding for qualifying regional projects that align with variety development and agronomic priorities.

Read the rest of this news release here.