NOVEMBER 10 , 2004

CMBTC Releases Recommended Malting Barley Varieties List for 2005-2006

WINNIPEG - The Recommended Malting Barley Varieties List for 2005-2006 has been released by the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC).

The recommendations on this list, attached, are based on the varieties expected to be selected by grain and malting companies for both domestic and export markets for the 2005 harvest. The list is published on behalf of the members of the CMBTC, and other companies that have provided their input. CMBTC members are Agricore United, Busch Agricultural Resources-Canada, Cargill AgHorizons, A.C. Toepfer Inc Canada, Canadian Wheat Board, Canadian Grain Commission, Canadian International Grains Institute, James Richardson International, Quality Assured Seeds, the Public Barley Breeders, Parrish & Heimbecker, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, and SeCan. CMBTC Managing Director Rob McCaig, upon reflection of the work that went into this year’s list said, “I would once again like to thank all of our members as well as the industry for helping put together this list as it is important information for the producer, aiding them in making their seeding decisions for the coming year. The list has always been ranked highly by the producers in their quest to improve their farm operations. Many of the producers have directly contacted CMBTC in this past year to ask questions about malting barley and their operation and we have been happy to assist them or direct them to our members for the more detailed information they seek”.

"These recommendations were derived from information CMBTC members obtained through their sales and marketing efforts and contact with domestic and international maltsters and brewers, as well as from test malting and brewing results achieved at CMBTC in their Pilot Malthouse and Pilot Brewery," said CMBTC Managing Director Rob McCaig. “The position of each variety on the list reflects the amount selected in 2004/2005.

The list clearly indicates the increasing acceptance of our new barley varieties by the international and domestic barley users. For two-row varieties, the market shares of AC Metcalfe, CDC Kendall, and CDC Copeland are on the increase, while the demand for Harrington and CDC Stratus has declined. Merit and Stein have lower yet stable market demand. For the six-row varieties, the newer six-row varieties, Legacy, CDC Battleford and Tradition show increasing demand, while Excel continues to have a stable demand. Both Robust and B1602 have no domestic market and a declining demand for export.

The CMBTC, which started in August 2000, is an independent, non-profit organization funded by members of the malting barley and malt industry. The CMBTC is the focal point for applied malting and brewing research and provides technical support to members and clients. CMBTC facilities include a state-of-the-art pilot malting plant and pilot brewery, located in the Canadian Grain Commission Building.

Rob McCaig,
Managing Director and Director of Brewing
CMBTC
204-983-1981
mccaig@cmbtc.com
www.cmbtc.com