Matt recently attended the Western Crop Innovations Annual General Meeting. Western Crop Innovations (formerly the Field Crop Development Centre) is the only barley breeding program in Alberta. It was mentioned that the program is getting out of developing new malt barley varieties to focus solely on feed varieties. As a farmer and a small-scale maltster here in Alberta, we are deeply disappointed by this decision. This move, reportedly driven largely by funding priorities from RDAR (the farmer-led organization that disburses provincial investment in agriculture research), raises significant concerns for the future of our province’s entire malt and brewing industry.
Alberta leads North America in barley production, and we are home to two major multinational malt companies, alongside a rapidly growing craft brewing and distilling sector. The success of these industries hinges on access to high-quality, regionally adapted malt barley varieties. Cutting a breeding program that has a proven track record of developing novel traits (i.e. moderate resistance to Fusarium Head Blight as well as GN 0 barley for distillers), even if commercialization has been challenging, feels incredibly short-sighted.
We need to ask critical questions about the long-term vision for Alberta’s agricultural sector. Is focusing solely on immediate yield and disease resistance at the expense of specialized and innovative breeding truly serving the broader industry’s needs? How will this decision impact our ability to maintain a competitive edge, support our local craft beverage scene, and ensure a stable supply of quality malt for both domestic and international markets?
We urge Western Crop Innovations, RDAR, and all stakeholders to reconsider the implications of this decision. We must prioritize a holistic, long-term strategy that recognizes the multi-faceted value of breeding programs and supports the entire value chain—from farm to glass. Our industry’s future depends on it.
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