World attention is focusing on Western Canada’s reputation for top-quality malting barley.
Take major U.S. brewer Anheuser-Busch, who wanted a barley variety to meet a demanding new set of brewing requirements. A reputation for quality barley led the company to Western Canada first, says Mario Therrien. His breeding program at Agriculture Canada’s Brandon centre on produced AC Buffalo, a new white aleurone six-row barley that fits the bill.
Barley growers will be able to take advantage of this new niche market. Certified seed will be distributed through the prairie pools, following full registration of the variety.
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Plenty of top-quality barley played a strong role in convincing WestCan Malting Co. to build the biggest single malting plant in the world in Alix, Alta., said vice-president of operations Gordon Tilley. The plant, which opened in 1993, will export about 80 percent of its minimum 120,000 tonne annual capacity.
“A major Japanese brewer recently rated this plant number one out of a worldwide supplier survey. A lot of that high rating is simply due to the quality of the barley we can get,” he said.
With growing markets in Japan, Korea, China, Central and South America, Europe and Africa, he expects major growth demand for barley. “Last year we required 110,000 tonnes,” he said, or five million bushels. “One farm alone supplied 2,000 tonnes.”
What can Canadian farmers do to cash in on these growing malt markets? For a start, pay close attention to varieties, said Tilley. “Malt quality is highly variety dependent. We depend on producers to supply us with the right material.”
Specifically, they look for plump kernels which indicate high sugar and the good germination rates needed for malting. There’s been steady progress in varieties, from Montcalm in the 1950s through Betzes, Klages and into Harrington, Manley and others today.
– Canadian Seed Growers
Pigs face disease threats
Assuming that outdoor pig-keeping systems had lower disease risks than intensive units could be dangerous, according to British researchers.
The latest edition of The Pig Journal produced by the British Pig Veterinary Society, highlights the possible problems. Internal and external parasites are listed and contributors warn that relaxing intensive management practices can accelerate spread of some parasites in large units. Infection hot spots can occur in small pens where pigs are kept on the same ground continually, says one author.
Pigs with access to soil and earthworms could be more susceptible to lung worm infection.
Increased incidence of milk spot liver, caused by the Ascaris nematode, has also been seen in pigs finished in straw yards.
Outdoor pig keepers are cautioned over the new “green” slaughter contracts, which are claimed to encourage a disregard for basic health control measures.
Sarcoptic mange, estimated to affect 70 percent of all pig herds and to depress growth rate and feed conversion by nine to 12.5 percent, could also hit outdoor pigs as hard as intensive units, the paper said. Tick infection could also increase where sows are run on land with rough cover.
A major review of practical health problems in outdoor pigs emphasizes crippling costs caused by infertility. Though successful units aim for 80-85 percent farrowing, many struggle to reach 75 percent; and reductions to 65 percent and lower have been recorded.
A 15 percent reduction in farrowing rate over three or four months could cost a 600-sow unit the equivalent $53,300 in the United Kingdom, one researcher found.
The Pig Journal, vol. 33, is priced at £12 ($27) including packing and overseas postage. Contact: The Pig Veterinary Society, Grove International, Corston, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England SN 16 OH L.
– British Farming News
