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(Edmonton, Alta.) The next time you have a cold, crisp beer, it could well be thanks to the winners of the 2009 Canadian Malting Barley Grower Recognition Program. The program salutes growers who consistently produce high-quality malting barley to the exacting standards of brewers, maltsters and consumers.
During at an awards breakfast at FarmTech 2010 today, the program honoured six farmers who have been named the country’s outstanding malting barley growers. They are: Alberta producers Brent and Brenda McBean of Strathmore, Peter Bokenfohr of Picardville and Bill Slemko of Hussar and Saskatchewan producers Brian Acton of Lemberg, Gary Southgate of Battleford, and Ron Waldenberger of Marquis.
Malt barley is all about quality—and that quality is what makes beer and spirits containing Canadian malt the world’s best. The excellent reputation of quality Canadian malt made from Canadian malting barley is highly dependent on the good practices of our growers. The program highlights these best practices and honours the best growers. Malt or malted barley is made from malting barley; the former being the processed grain and the latter being the unprocessed grain. “Malting barley is a demanding, specialized crop that requires farmers to follow precise agronomic methods and exacting storage practices,” said Michael Brophy, president and CEO of the Brewing and Malting Barely Research Institute (BMBRI). “Every brewer and maltster looks for different qualities and specifications in malting barley and is eager to find farmers who can meet their requirements.”
Fifteen malting barley growers were nominated in their respective regions across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Nominations were based on growers’ total management practices, including: preplanting planning, growing, harvesting, storage and marketing. From the 15 nominees, the six outstanding district producers were named.
When reviewing nominations, several common traits emerged: close relationships between growers and companies contribute to growing consistently good malting barley, and top growers tend to use the latest technology and newest varieties of malting barley.
“This program helps us better understand what it takes to be an outstanding malting barley producer and to share best practices with other producers,” said Darcy Kirtzinger, policy and research coordinator for the Alberta Barley Commission. A PDF brochure outlining program winners and best practices is attached.
The Canadian Malting Barley Grower Recognition Program was initiated by the BMBRI and organized by the Alberta Barley Commission, BMBRI, Canadian Grain Commission, Cargill Ltd. and the Canadian Wheat Board.
The 2009 sponsors are the Alberta Barley Commission; Barley Development Council, BMBRI, Brewers Association of Canada, Canadian Grain Commission, Canadian International Grain Institute, Canadian Wheat Board, Cargill Ltd., Prairie Malt Ltd., Rahr Malting Canada, Ltd. and SEED-EX Inc.
The 2009 nominating companies are: BARI Canada Inc.; Cargill Ltd.; Prairie Malt Ltd.; Rahr Malting Canada, Ltd.; Richardson Pioneer; and Viterra.
To find out more about BMBRI membership, contact
Michael Brophy
President and CEO
Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute
204.927.1401
Darcy Kirtzinger
Research and Policy Coordinator
Alberta Barley Commission
780.878.3237
