Ontario Grain Farmer December 2023 / January 2024

Two new varieties have made headway – Calypso, which makes good livestock feed, and Ruzena, a two-row variety that can be malted.

with higher fibre) and softer, potentially more absorbent straw, meaning a significant part of the market comes from the livestock sector. There is an opportunity to grow the number of livestock producers who employ the grain in their feed rations. Martin adds further research and analysis into the protein and starch levels afforded by different genetics could help the grain make inroads with “high octane” dairy cattle herds. The craft beer market is also an existing market and one with growth potential. Indeed, Kimber says the demand for made-in-Ontario barley malt remains unfilled, with product instead being largely imported from Western Canada and elsewhere. The challenge going forward is not necessarily a lack of Ontario barley, though, buta lack of Ontario malt houses — the malting process being a critical part of the preparation of barley for beer making. “You have to have a malt variety. There’s only one variety of malt barley, and only one craft maltster in Ontario. Availability of craft malt has not increased with demand from breweries,” says Martin. While some winter barley can still be incorporated into the brewing process without being malted — as roasted grains, for example, it remains a small market. “We need to find new uses for winter barley … I think we need to see an increased use of barley in livestock rations. The historic thinking has been it was not viable because it does not compete from an agronomic standpoint. If we can double the yield, that changes things dramatically and needs to be revisited.” AGRONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS Despite success in bettering yield and overwintering vigour, winter barley still brings production challenges. This includes disease management, other issues common to cereals, and the need to plant with phosphorus in-furrow — the application rate to be determined based on soil type and fertility data. Follings, Kimber, and Martin all say winter barley’s shorter planting window in early autumn is the biggest consideration. Growers interested in winter barley might consider moving to an earlier season soybean variety to improve post-harvest planting opportunities. “The main consumption really is pet food. Food grade, but for pets,” Martin says.

Follings says winter barley “likes to be seeded early, even before winter wheat. It is seven to 10 days before the optimal wheat planting date for any region.” If the optimal planting date for winter wheat is mid to late October, for example, the optimal date for winter barley would be early October. “If you have edible beans, peas, or canola, it’s an easier fit. It’s hard with longer-season soybeans, though. Planting earlier is crucial for both winter survival and maximizing and optimizing yield … Winter barley might not be the best fit for everyone, but there’s definitely a great opportunity for producers if you can figure out that marketing aspect before you put it into the ground.” l

“Our planting window is pretty strict. We may relax the planting date going forward, or we may get stung and retract,” says Martin.

21

DECEMBER 2023 / JANUARY 2024

ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER