BANFF – If there is money to be made growing transgenic barley, farmers will consider it but the malting industry and international community reject the idea.
Two Alberta Agriculture studies on the feasibility of developing transgenic barley found interest in growing transgenic barley if it increases yields or has more disease resistance, said Charlie Pearson of Alberta Agriculture.
Genetically modified barley could provide a higher yielding product to support the livestock industry and keep it competitive against the United States where corn is the primary feedstuff, he told the Alberta Barley Commission annual meeting in Banff Dec.10.
Malting companies working with international brewers said they do not want GM barley because customers in Europe are opposed to it.
The study also questioned the impact on public breeding programs but one researcher said the work needs to continue.
“Genetic engineering is just one tool but we are our own worst enemies when we say let’s push this because we think it is going to be a magic tool. Biological systems are not simple systems,” said Jim Helm of Alberta Agriculture.
“Grasses are much harder than canola and soybeans and we have to keep that in mind. The science needs to continue on. We can’t just drop it.”
