2024 Quality of Western Canadian Barley Report

The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) reports that Western Canada’s 2024 barley crop, despite facing struggles due to heat stress, demonstrated resiliency and several notable strengths. Alberta continues to lead Canada in barley production, contributing over 50% of the national crop. Popular seeded malting barley varieties in the province included AAC Synergy, CDC Copeland, and Sirish.

One of the standout positives this year is the excellent germination energy of the barley, averaging 99%, which underscores its viability for malting purposes. The overall malting performance was strong, with the crop exhibiting good modification and enzyme levels. While smaller and thinner kernels affected malt extract levels, the barley’s malting quality still met industry expectations.