If malt barley is in your crop plan for 2016, the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre has issued its list of recommended varieties for the 2016-17 year based on market demand.
The list (find it here) is compiled by the CMBTC’s members, which include grain companies, seed companies, maltsters, brewers and government ag departments.
CDC Copeland and AC Metcalfe are once again the highest recommended varieties, as they both have established demand. Bentley, CDC Meredith, CDC PolarStar, Newdale and Merit 57 are also on the two-row variety list, although they’re noted to have limited demand. CDC Kindersley and AAC Synergy are both under commercial market development with growing demand.
Some varieties are only handled by one or a limited number of companies so the CMBTC recommends consulting with potential buyers before planting (eg. for Bentley, contact Canada Malting Company for contracting; CDC PolarStar — Prairie Malt-Cargill; Newdale — Canada Malting Company or North American Food Ingredients; and Merit 57 — BARI-Canada.)
The CMBTC also recommends contacting buyers before growing six-row varieties, as demand has declined. Legacy, Tradition and Celebration are all on the recommended list, but with limited demand.
Related: Recommended Malt Barley Variety List for 15-16 Released
