W12 Malt Update: BMBRI and CBRC Grant Research Fundings to Support Industrial Development in Canada, Rainy Weather Delays Spring Barley Planting in France

BMBRI Approves Research Grant Funding for Malting Barley Crop Improvement

The Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute (BMBRI) in Canada approved research funding of up to USD 136 thousand in 2024 and 2025. This investment aims to ensure that malting barley remains a competitive cropping option for farmers and delivers high-quality grain to the end users. The funding will be directed towards disease-related projects, such as Fusarium head blight and bacterial leaf streak, as well as a project to understand the role of mycorrhizae in disease resistance. The grants will also support research projects to explore the functional genomics of malt quality and barley agronomy and to understand the malt quality impacts of Fusarium species other than F. graminearum.

CBRC and BMBRI Launched a Research Grant to Support Barley Research in Western Canada

A funding partnership between the Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC) and the BMBRI has led to the launch of the Grant for Research Optimization for Western (GROW) Canadian Barley Agronomy Program. This program has committed USD 1.5 million over seven years to support barley agronomic research in Western Canada. It aims to ensure that new barley varieties reach their maximum potential.

Rainy Weather Delays Spring Barley Planting in France

Spring barley planting in France has been delayed due to rainy weather conditions, potentially impacting the production of the European Union's (EU) biggest barley exporter. As of March 4th, 2024, only 28% of the 2024 French spring barley crop was planted, similar to W11 progress (27%) and significantly below the average of 71% of the crop typically planted in this season.