Ottawa – Barley is an important Canadian cereal grain grown for malt, feed, food, and forage and is instrumental in crop rotations. Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced a total investment of up to $5,257,073 to the Canadian Barley Research Coalition through the AgriScience Program – Clusters Component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
The goal of this Cluster is to support research that will lead to a more resilient barley sector that is better equipped to respond to a changing climate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Barley plays a key role in meeting diverse needs in the food and beverage industry, as well as livestock feed. Among other initiatives, the Barley Cluster research activities will explore:
- improving barley sustainability through integrated genetic diversity, nitrogen, and plant growth regulators,
- developing Canadian barley varieties that are more resistant to climate change,
- developing next-generation barley traits for economic profitability and environmental sustainability in Canada, and
- disease resistance to improve environmental, economic, and sector resiliency.
Further research and development in the barley sector is essential to maintaining its competitiveness and to allow for industrial and economic growth.
“Our hardworking barley producers provide top-quality grain to so many industries, from the livestock sector to the Canadian brewing industry. This vitally important research will help producers incorporate climate-resilient barley crops into their operations and increase the profitability and sustainability of their farms.” – Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“This investment in research and innovation in Canadian-grown barley will provide further support for the sustainable economic growth of Saskatchewan and Alberta, which dominate production. The project aims to respond to climate change in ways that spur economic development and is an example of how the Framework for a Green Prairie Economy moves us closer to our goal of creating a stronger, sustainable economic future together.” – Dan Vandal, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development