SaskBarley commits $145,724 to collaborative barley research

January 13, 2026 (Saskatoon, SK) The Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley) announced today that it has committed $145,724 to fund barley research over the next five years.

“By supporting targeted, collaborative research projects, SaskBarley is helping ensure Saskatchewan farmers have access to practical tools and information that strengthen barley production, protect quality, and support market access,” says SaskBarley Research Committee Co-Chair Cody Glenn. “These investments reflect priorities identified by producers and deliver benefits across the barley value chain.”

The projects supported were reviewed and funded in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) and Strategic Research Initiatives (SRI) programs and other like-minded organizations supporting agriculture research in Saskatchewan.

This announcement comes as a welcome addition to 57 other current SaskBarley-funded research projects at the end of last year. This funding builds on the over $13 million SaskBarley has invested in research to date. The three projects funded under this round of ADF proposals and one under SRI will investigate barley processing, bacterial leaf streak, fusarium head blight, and management of herbicide resistant weeds in barley.

SaskBarley’s allocation of producer dollars towards research represents a deliberate investment in key areas that align with the organization’s strategic plan. SaskBarley will also partner, where possible, to leverage funding amounts for research in a way that will benefit the entire barley industry, says Executive Director Jill McDonald.

“Leveraging partnerships allows SaskBarley to stretch every research dollar further and deliver greater value back to farmers,” says McDonald. “By working alongside provincial programs and industry partners, we’re investing in research that addresses real-world issues and supports a competitive, resilient barley sector.”

SaskBarley works with many research partners across the agriculture industry. On these four new projects, the organization is collaborating with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Alberta Grains, Manitoba Crop Alliance, Results Driven Agriculture Research, SaskOilseeds, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers and Sask Wheat.

Learn more about SaskBarley’s research program at saskbarley.com.

For more information, contact:

Serra McSymytz,
Communications Manager
smcsymytz@saskbarley.com