Maltsters are ready to start building inventory again as brewers feel more comfortable about the future of beer sales
This might be the year when the malt barley industry returns to a semblance of normalcy, says an industry official. “There should be good demand off the combine because the pipeline is empty,” said Kevin Sich, supply chain director with Rahr Malting Co. Demand has been “beat up” the past couple of years with COVID […] Read moreTag Archives malting barley
Maltsters watch barley quality
Maltsters are facing a double whammy in terms of supply constraints this year, says an industry official. Not only is North American barley production way down, but there are serious quality issues as well. “It’s going to be a tough year all around for producers and the malting industry alike,” said Peter Watts, managing director […] Read more
Researcher weighs risks of glyphosate for malt barley dry-down
It’s fine to hit malting barley with glyphosate, at least theoretically. But the challenge of doing it in the field in true farming conditions was highlighted by long-time barley researcher John O’Donovan at the Canadian Barley Symposium. “If the farmer does everything right — correct stage, uniform dry-down is achieved — the residue levels will […] Read more
Growing Canadian craft beer sector thirsty for local malt
WINNIPEG — Craft breweries are a growing sub-sector of the Canadian beer industry, but the increased variety of local drink options are not necessarily 100 percent home-grown because a lack of domestically produced specialty malts force brewers to look far afield to meet their needs. “We get our base malt locally, but we don’t have […] Read more
Maltsters, growers form relationships
Malt companies have list of tried and true growers
A specialty crop in Western Canada is usually described as a small acreage crop such as sunflowers and buckwheat, where the vast majority of production is contracted. Malting barley may now fall into that category. “We keep using the word that this is a ‘specialty’ crop. That keeps coming up more and more,” said Kevin […] Read more
Japan looks to Canada for ideal malt barley types
High enzyme activity | Japan and Canada worked together to develop CDC PolarStar
Japanese brewers love Canadian malting barley. They want to keep it that way, but the malt’s got to keep getting better. “We need varieties with distinctive value, brand and positioning.… We can make it through good co-operation,” Kensuke Ogushi, beer ingredients director with Sapporo Breweries, told the Canadian Global Crops Symposium. “Let us continue (to) […] Read more
Barley growers partner with brewery
Contracted for $300 per tonne | California company reaches agreement with Alberta growers to produce custom crop
On May 8, Ross Keller seeded Meredith barley, the first crop in the ground. He already knows what he will be paid for the crop and where it will be sold. The New Norway, Alta., producer is one of 12 farmers who have contracted to sell malt barley to a California brewery for three years. […] Read more
Ample supply hits malting barley
Prices down | World acres are up and several European countries had excellent harvests
Malting barley prices are flagging as European growers appear poised to harvest a better than expected crop and North American farmers plan to plant a lot of barley. “We certainly have seen new crop bids slide on the Prairies to the point where maybe even some companies aren’t offering new crop bids or maybe they’re […] Read more
