The Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley), Alberta Barley and Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association (MWBGA) have announced the launch of the Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC), a national not-for-profit organization that will facilitate long-term investments aimed at improving profitability and competitiveness for Western Canadian barley farmers.
CBRC will facilitate a collaborative approach to funding regional and national research projects in variety development and agronomy, including core barley breeding agreements with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC). CBRC will also provide funding for qualifying regional projects that align with variety development and agronomic priorities.
“SaskBarley began working to create CBRC over the last year, as the Board saw the need for such an organization within the barley world,” says SaskBarley Chair Jason Skotheim.
“The coalition was founded by Western Canadian barley organizations interested in pursuing research-led breakthroughs in science and agronomics that will expand the relative economic competitiveness of barley. As CBRC evolves we will be looking for other members to join CBRC for a true national value chain approach to research”
“Alberta Barley is pleased to be part of this collaboration that will not only maximize the entire value chain’s capacity, but will also serve as a venue for formal collaboration and alignment of Western Canada’s barley research priorities,” says Terry James, Alberta Barley’s Research Chair. “We look forward to working with our fellow prairie barley commissions through the CBRC to streamline our processes and ultimately see improved performance and competitiveness for barley.”
“MWBGA is always looking for investment opportunities that will further barley research to benefit our Western Canadian barley producers,” says MWBGA Chair Fred Greig. “We are proud to contribute to development of the newly established CBRC and are pleased to be working closely with our partner organizations in Alberta and Saskatchewan.”
The first order of business for CBRC is renewing core breeding contracts with the CDC and the AAFC.
