Canadian Barley Research Coalition
The Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC) is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the profitability and competitiveness of western Canadian barley through long-term research investments.
Founded by the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission, Alberta Grains, and the Manitoba Crop Alliance, CBRC works collaboratively across the entire barley value chain.
2024-25 Activities:
Investing in Barley Innovation
Core Barley Breeding Agreements
In 2025, the Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC) renewed Core Breeding Agreements (CBAs) with the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), investing nearly $3 million over three years. Funded by barley producers since 1995, these agreements support the development of improved barley varieties for malt, feed, forage, and food markets.
The impact of these investments is evident. Varieties developed with CBA funding account for 81% of the malting barley seeded area and 39% of the feed barley seeded area (reference CGC harvest report). These varieties improve on-farm profitability. A SaskBarley report estimates a 25:1 return on producer investment in barley breeding.
SCAP Barley Cluster
The Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Program (SCAP) Barley Cluster is a five-year (2023–2028), $9.6 million initiative led by CBRC to deliver coordinated research across barley genetics, agronomy, quality, and sustainability. The Cluster strengthens farm profitability and value-chain stability by increasing yields, reducing input costs, and ensuring a reliable supply of high-quality barley for processors and end users.
Research within the Cluster focuses on improving climate resilience, accelerating variety development through modern breeding tools, strengthening resistance to major diseases, and enhancing end-use quality for malt, feed, and food markets. Projects also support environmental sustainability through improved nutrient-use efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
GROW Barley: Optimizing Agronomy
The Grant for Research Optimization of Western Barley Agronomy (GROW Barley) is a seven-year initiative that complements genetic gains by ensuring agronomic practices keep pace with new varieties. Led by Dr. Hiroshi Kubota (AAFC), the program launched its first project in 2025, targeting lodging—one of the significant constraints to yield, quality, and profitability.
The project examines how management decisions, environmental conditions, and variety traits interact to influence lodging risk, while exploring early prediction tools to support in-season decision-making.
Supporting the Next Generation of Barley Scientists
CBRC also invests in people by supporting two graduate students to attend the Prairie Recommending Committee for Oats and Barley in 2025. This experience provided practical insight into variety registration and the pathway from research to commercialization.
Congratulations to the 2025 Scholarship Recipients
- Kieran Robert Taylor, Brandon University
- Shashika Yapas, University of Manitoba