MBAC 52nd Annual
Barley Field Day
July 8, 2004

View the Program

The cool weather and cloudy sky may have been one of the reasons why attendance at the 52nd Annual Barley Field Day was slightly lower than in previous years. Nevertheless, those attending enjoyed both good technical presentations and the following tour of the test barley fields at the Elora Research Station. Presenters also noted that those attending were very interested as there were plenty of questions and good interaction.

After a brief introduction by President Joel Manning, Prof. Dr. D.E. Falk reviewed his research focus; with barley still receiving some good research support within their mix of wheat, corn and other grains.

Darren Smith of ConAgra Malt Americas continued by reviewing the 2004 Crop Outlook for Western Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta). In contrast to 2002 and 2003, this year's forecast is very favorable and the possibility of a bumper crop exists at this time. The satisfactory precipitation encountered so far will most likely result in low protein barley malt with high extract content. Reduction of malt expenditure for breweries might be the consequence.

Potential challenges could be an influx of grasshoppers in the west and infections with fusarium in the east.

In Western Canada, mostly 2 row varieties were seeded; the acreage for 6 row barleys continues to decline. Among the 2 row varieties, planting of Metcalf is still preferred because of its high enzyme level. Stratus is losing importance while Kendal is staying about the same.

Upcoming new 2 row varieties are seen as Copeland and Newdale.

Steve Kell of Parrish & Heimbecker gave an update of the Malting Barley program in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. Changing climatic conditions are driving this substantial trial program. Growing Western varieties in these regions is difficult because they need more daylight and they do not have the disease resistance needed for the prevailing climate in the east. As well, the hot and humid conditions during early summer are not favourable for growing malting barley. Even so, barley acreages are increasing (from 400 acres a few years ago to the present 20,000) and hopes are to further expand this to greater than 40,000 acres.

A newly developed early maturing European malting variety (Formosa) is now being explored. It is grown as a feed barley already and shows a comparatively high enzyme potential which is a prerequisite for malting.

Prof. Dr. Falk finished the technical session with a report on the 2004 International Barley Symposium in the Czech republic. This country prides itself with having the highest per capita beer consumption in the world (165L). Slides of Prague's tourist attractions - among those the Gregor Mendel Museum (the originator of genetic engineering) and pubs provided an interesting background to the presentation. Some interesting feedback on the future of genetically engineered barley was discussed, noting that although barley was an easy plant to work with, there remains no market with brewers. In fact, many large brewers have served notice that any region that commenced with field trials would see their entire barley crop basically black-listed.

Presentation of Annual Bursary to U. of Guelph student.

Joel Manning made the presentation of the Annual MBAC award to a student working on barley research. Marc de Wit participated in the ensuing Field Plot Tour and will present his completed work at the upcoming January 2004 Technical Conference.

The Tour through the Elora Test Fields commenced with Marc de Wit showing his low phytate barley line. Phytic acid is a form of phosphorus that is almost indigestible by monogastric livestock, which reduces the nutrient value of feed barley. Unfortunately, the onset of rain forced the attendants to proceed to shelter where beer and a light lunch compensated for the shortened trip through the barley test fields.

Thanks are due to CanaAgra Malt for again sponsoring this event and of course to Prof. Dr. Duane Falk and his people for organizing an informative and interesting barley field day and hosting the MBAC members and their guests.