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Quality of western Canadian barley in 2024: Quality data for individual malting barley varieties

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Barley Production and Quality of Western Canadian Malting Barley 2024
(PDF, 3 MB)

ISSN 1182-4417

Figure 4.1  Distribution of malting barley varieties as a percentage (%) of area seeded with malting barley in western Canada in 2024 and 2023.

2024

description follows

2023

description follows
Graph data
2024
Malting barley varietyArea seeded (%)
AAC Synergy33.6
CDC Copeland17.4
Sirish13.9
Connect12.3
CDC Fraser8.1
CDC Churchill7.1
AC Metcalfe1.5
CDC Copper1.1
Bill Coors 1000.6
Other varieties4.4
2023
Malting barley varietyArea seeded (%)
AAC Synergy32.2
CDC Copeland22.3
AAC Connect12.3
Sirish12.1
CDC Fraser6.4
AC Metcalfe3.7
CDC Churchill3.1
CDC Copper1.4
Newdale0.5
Other varieties6.0

AAC Synergy

In 2024, AAC Synergy continued as the most popular malting barley variety seeded in western Canada. AAC Synergy is a high-yielding variety that is characterized by relatively high kernel weight and plumpness, and relatively low grain protein content. AAC Synergy has shorter and stronger straw than AC Metcalfe and CDC Copeland. It is resistant to spotted net blotch, netted net blotch and spot blotch. AAC Synergy has a desirable malting quality profile with high malt extract, good protein modification, low levels of wort β-glucans, and intermediate levels of starch-degrading enzymes. Overall, AAC Synergy’s excellent combination of agronomic traits and malting quality makes it a desirable two-rowed malting barley variety for western Canadian producers and the malting and brewing industry.

Table 4.1  Quality data for AAC Synergy malting barley in 2024

SamplesAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
Number1922546
Tonnage represented by samples
(thousands of tonnes)Footnote1		2394465690
Quality parameter, barleyAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
AvgwFootnote2AvgwAvgwAvgwRange2019-2023
5-year average
Test weight (kg/hL)64.965.965.065.560.4-69.066.3
1000 kernel weight (g)44.445.246.044.937.9-50.447.4
Plump, over 7/64" sieve (%)57.260.465.259.329.0-75.065.2Footnote3
Plump, over 6/64" sieve (%)88.690.692.289.974.9-95.292.1Footnote3
MoistureFootnote4 (%)11.712.213.212.010.7-14.512.2
Protein (%, db)12.011.811.611.910.5-13.912.0
Germination, 4 ml (%)9999999996-10098
Germination, 8 ml (%)9695949584-9991
Quality parameter, maltAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
AvgwAvgwAvgwAvgwRange2019-2023
5-year average
Yield (%)90.290.590.190.488.7-92.790.5
Steep-out moisture (%)45.945.646.545.744.1-47.646.2
Friability (%)80.881.788.381.590.1-97.572.7
Moisture (%)4.74.85.24.84.1-6.04.9
Protein (%, db)11.711.410.911.59.7-13.411.7
Diastatic power (°, db)160160150160132-200165
α-Amylase (DU, db)75.778.070.577.261.3-90.676.8
Quality parameter, wortAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
AvgwAvgwAvgwAvgwRange2019-2023
5-year average
Fine grind extract (F) (%, db)79.880.480.280.277.1-81.480.7
Coarse grind extract (C) (%, db)79.479.879.879.776.3-81.480.2
F-C difference (%, db)0.40.60.40.50.1-1.20.5
ß-Glucan (mg/L)6773497132-11776
Viscosity (cP)1.401.411.401.411.37-1.431.42
Soluble protein (%, db)4.894.834.834.854.29-5.224.87
Ratio S/T (%)42.242.244.542.234.8-49.641.7
FAN (mg/L)186182198184152-206180
Colour (°)2.02.02.22.01.6-2.31.9

CDC Copeland

The area seeded with CDC Copeland continued to decrease in 2024, but CDC Copeland remained the second most popular malting variety seeded in 2024. Its excellent brewing characteristics, combined with protein and enzyme levels that are lower than AC Metcalfe, provide an excellent balance among malting barley varieties.

Table 4.2  Quality data for CDC Copeland malting barley in 2024

SamplesAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
Number1118332
Tonnage represented by samples
(thousands of tonnes)Footnote1		10513812255
Quality parameter, barleyAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
AvgwFootnote2AvgwAvgwAvgwRange2019-2023
5-year average
Test weight (kg/hL)63.764.964.464.460.1-66.265.4
1000 kernel weight (g)41.642.238.441.837.2-47.444.3
Plump, over 7/64" sieve (%)41.743.830.342.96.1-65.750.3Footnote3
Plump, over 6/64" sieve (%)82.084.685.483.567.3-94.289.1Footnote3
MoistureFootnote4 (%)11.712.112.011.910.9-16.112.1
Protein (%, db)12.411.913.212.210.7-13.512.2
Germination, 4 ml (%)99981009996-10098
Germination, 8 ml (%)9694959588-10094
Quality parameter, maltAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
AvgwAvgwAvgwAvgwRange2019-2023
5-year average
Yield (%)90.690.490.590.588.0-92.790.5
Steep-out moisture (%)45.745.246.045.544.3-47.045.8
Friability (%)82.782.880.982.678.2-80.776.8
Moisture (%)4.44.64.44.53.6-5.84.6
Protein (%, db)12.111.712.811.910.5-13.012.2
Diastatic power (°, db)157159176159126-197168
α-Amylase (DU, db)65.567.576.767.254.0-77.271.6
Quality parameter, wortAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
AvgwAvgwAvgwAvgwRange2019-2023
5-year average
Fine grind extract (F) (%, db)79.580.179.179.878.2-80.780.0
Coarse grind extract (C) (%, db)78.679.278.378.977.4-80.179.4
F-C difference (%, db)0.90.90.80.90-1.30.6
ß-Glucan (mg/L)8385938538-12985
Viscosity (cP)1.421.421.441.421.39-1.441.43
Soluble protein (%, db)5.154.965.195.014.39-5.415.08
Ratio S/T (%)42.643.242.842.637.6-46.841.6
FAN (mg/L)193194191193164-218198
Colour (°)2.02.02.12.01.7-2.42.0

AAC Connect

The area seeded with AAC Connect in 2024 was similar to last year. AAC Connect, registered in 2016, has excellent agronomic traits and disease resistance. AAC Connect has a very good yield potential, typically 11% higher than AC Metcalfe and 5% higher than CDC Copeland. Compared to AC Metcalfe and CDC Copeland, it has shorter, stronger straw and heavier, plumper kernels. Its maturity date is similar to that of AC Metcalfe. It is resistant to spotted net blotch, surface-borne smuts and stem rust, and moderately resistant to Fusarium head blight (FHB). This variety offers high extract, moderate to high enzymes and relatively low FAN levels, as well as good brewhouse performance and fermentability.

Table 4.3  Quality data for AAC Connect malting barley in 2024

SamplesAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
Number1119434
Tonnage represented by samples
(thousands of tonnes)Footnote1		1131444309
Quality parameter, barleyAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
AvgwFootnote2AvgwAvgwAvgwRange2019-2023
5-year average
Test weight (kg/hL)64.365.965.665.363.0-69.366.6
1000 kernel weight (g)44.546.246.445.642.1-53.448.7
Plump, over 7/64" sieve (%)30.936.346.236.47.5-55.951.2Footnote3
Plump, over 6/64" sieve (%)81.986.488.685.678.0-95.190.8Footnote3
MoistureFootnote4 (%)12.412.113.512.311.1-14.912.5
Protein (%, db)13.012.211.612.511.1-14.012.2
Germination, 4 ml (%)9899999996-10098
Germination, 8 ml (%)9694919586-10093
Quality parameter, maltAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
AvgwAvgwAvgwAvgwRange2019-2023
5-year average
Yield (%)90.389.690.689.887.7-92.290.4
Steep-out moisture (%)45.545.245.445.343.9-48.345.7
Friability (%)84.586.092.385.573.3-97.877.1
Moisture (%)4.54.64.64.63.9-5.84.9
Protein (%, db)12.211.711.111.910.5-13.012.1
Diastatic power (°, db)179174165177150-218183
α-Amylase (DU, db)76.779.780.278.761.8-97.882.0
Quality parameter, wortAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
AvgwAvgwAvgwAvgwRange2018-2022
5-year average
Fine grind extract (F) (%, db)80.180.981.680.679.1-82.181.3
Coarse grind extract (C) (%, db)79.680.481.180.178.3-81.480.7
F-C difference (%, db)0.50.50.50.50.1-1.30.6
ß-Glucan (mg/L)7672627336-12482
Viscosity (cP)1.401.411.411.401.38-1.431.42
Soluble protein (%, db)5.035.065.295.054.26-5.534.89
Ratio S/T (%)41.343.147.442.536.0-51.140.6
FAN (mg/L)178188213185140-224175
Colour (°)1.92.02.12.01.7-2.81.9

CDC Fraser

CDC Fraser, registered in 2016, is a high yielding variety with shorter, stronger straw and excellent lodging resistance. Its yields are 14% higher than AC Metcalfe and 8% higher than CDC Copeland. Its maturity date is similar to that of CDC Copeland. High kernel weight and plumpness and good resistance to spot blotch and spotted net blotch characterize CDC Fraser. This variety offers high extract, high enzyme activity and high FAN levels.

Table 4.4  Quality data for CDC Fraser malting barley in 2024

SamplesAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
Number87419
Tonnage represented by samples
(thousands of tonnes)Footnote1		59837171
Quality parameter, barleyAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
AvgwFootnote2AvgwAvgwAvgwRange2019-2023
5-year average
Test weight (kg/hL)63.864.864.664.562.5-67.465.7
1000 kernel weight (g)44.744.342.844.741.3-48.647.4
Plump, over 7/64" sieve (%)58.555.047.457.547.4-65.862.2Footnote3
Plump, over 6/64" sieve (%)91.089.491.490.585.8-95.891.1Footnote3
MoistureFootnote4 (%)11.611.713.111.810.5-14.512.6
Protein (%, db)12.012.113.212.111.1-13.811.9
Germination, 4 ml (%)98991009995-10098
Germination, 8 ml (%)9291939286-9989
Quality parameter, maltAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
AvgwAvgwAvgwAvgwRange2019-2023
5-year average
Yield (%)89.689.390.389.688.6-92.289.3
Steep-out moisture (%)46.345.845.745.843.8-47.646.9
Friability (%)87.986.685.886.780.3-95.384.4
Moisture (%)4.84.94.94.94.4-5.54.9
Protein (%, db)11.611.712.711.710.6-13.511.8
Diastatic power (°, db)186191191188133-211180
α-Amylase (DU, db)80.382.283.080.659.2-92.279.9
Quality parameter, wortAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
AvgwAvgwAvgwAvgwRange2018-2022
5-year average
Fine grind extract (F) (%, db)80.580.679.480.579.1-82.281.1
Coarse grind extract (C) (%, db)80.279.978.580.078.0-81.780.7
F-C difference (%, db)0.30.70.90.50.0-1.30.4
ß-Glucan (mg/L)6172777244-11176
Viscosity (cP)1.401.411.421.411.39-1.451.42
Soluble protein (%, db)5.015.105.415.094.73-5.435.16
Ratio S/T (%)43.243.742.843.540.2-49.243.9
FAN (mg/L)200207203203179-234204
Colour (°)2.12.22.12.21.8-2.82.2

CDC Churchill

CDC Churchill is a recently registered variety (2019), whose seeded area increased drastically this year. It is a high yielding variety (3% higher than AAC Synergy). Its maturity date is comparable to that of CDC Copeland. It has shorter, stronger straw with good lodging resistance. It is a variety with low grain protein, low to moderate levels of malt enzymes and high extract potential. CDC Churchill is moderately resistant to spot form net blotch and net form net blotch. It is moderately susceptible to Fusarium head blight (FHB).

Table 4.5  Quality data for CDC Churchill malting barley in 2024

SamplesAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
Number137626
Tonnage represented by samples
(thousands of tonnes)Footnote1		795312157
Quality parameter, barleyAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
AvgwFootnote2AvgwAvgwAvgwRange2020-2023
4-year average
Test weight (kg/hL)63.565.966.464.860.9-68.067.1
1000 kernel weight (g)40.242.242.041.337.5-45.846.0
Plump, over 7/64" sieve (%)31.334.825.532.715.5-53.455.5Footnote3
Plump, over 6/64" sieve (%)79.884.281.182.067.9-92.391.8Footnote3
MoistureFootnote4 (%)12.012.714.412.411.0-15.011.9
Protein (%, db)12.111.812.512.010.8-13.912.0
Germination, 4 ml (%)9998989997-10098
Germination, 8 ml (%)9691919486-9989
Quality parameter, maltAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
AvgwAvgwAvgwAvgwRange2020-2023
4-year average
Yield (%)90.290.690.490.489.0-92.790.7
Steep-out moisture (%)46.245.444.645.743.1-47.645.6
Friability (%)83.283.482.782.967.8-92.079.0
Moisture (%)5.04.84.94.94.0-6.14.8
Protein (%, db)11.811.412.011.610.3-13.512.0
Diastatic power (°, db)156159156155116-193161
α-Amylase (DU, db)79.481.376.178.558.2-88.978.5
Quality parameter, wortAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaWestern Canada
AvgwAvgwAvgwAvgwRange2020-2023
4-year average
Fine grind extract (F) (%, db)79.580.679.980.077.2-81.880.9
Coarse grind extract (C) (%, db)79.079.978.979.476.8-81.080.2
F-C difference (%, db)0.50.71.00.60.0-1.80.6
ß-Glucan (mg/L)7072957752-15685
Viscosity (cP)1.401.411.421.411.38-1.451.42
Soluble protein (%, db)4.584.844.784.684.04-5.344.79
Ratio S/T (%)38.842.639.940.334.0-43.740.5
FAN (mg/L)178193158181135-199174
Colour (°)1.81.81.81.81.6-2.21.9

Newdale

Newdale is an older malting variety that continues to represent a small, but consistent, share of barley selected for malting each year. With good friability and low levels of β-glucan, it performs well in the brewhouse. Its moderate levels of enzymes, soluble protein and FAN make Newdale well suited for all-malt brewing.

Table 4.6  Quality data for Newdale malting barley in 2024

SamplesWestern Canada
Number4
Quality parameter, barleyWestern Canada
AvgFootnote5Range2019-2023
5-year average
Test weight (kg/hL)63.259.4-67.065.0
1000 kernel weight (g)42.641.1-44.146.1
Plump, over 7/64" sieve (%)44.234.7-44.253.7Footnote3
Plump, over 6/64" sieve (%)87.883.6-92.091.6Footnote3
MoistureFootnote4 (%)14.214.0-14.413.2
Protein (%, db)12.512.0-12.911.9
Germination, 4 ml (%)9999-10098
Germination, 8 ml (%)9186-9784
Quality parameter, maltWestern Canada
AvgwRange2019-2023
5-year average
Yield (%)89.287.8-90.590.1
Steep-out moisture (%)46.946.0-47.846.7
Friability (%)86.681.4-91.777.4
Moisture (%)5.04.8-5.15.0
Protein (%, db)11.711.7-12.211.7
Diastatic power (°, db)164161-168162
α-Amylase (DU, db)79.278.6-79.773.2
Quality parameter, wortWestern Canada
AvgwRange2019-2023
5-year average
Fine grind extract (F) (%, db)79.579.1-79.880.1
Coarse grind extract (C) (%, db)78.778.3-79.079.5
F-C difference (%, db)0.80.8-0.80.6
ß-Glucan (mg/L)9840-15596
Viscosity (cP)1.401.37-1.431.40
Soluble protein (%, db)4.674.56-4.774.67
Ratio S/T (%)40.239.3-41.140.1
FAN (mg/L)161152-170171
Colour (°)2.11.8-2.32.0

AAC Prairie

AAC Prairie is a newly registered (2022) two-row malting barley that is currently in the market development stage. AAC Prairie has a malting profile similar to AC Metcalfe. The western Cooperative and Collaborative registration trials indicated that this variety has moderate protein content, very high enzymatic activity, high FAN levels and low wort β-glucan levels. It has a good yield potential, shorter straw and good lodging resistance. AAC Prairie is moderately resistant to surface-borne smuts, stem rust and net-form net blotch.

Table 4.7  Quality data for AAC Prairie malting barley in western Canada in 2024Footnote6

Samples20242023
Number23
Quality parameter, barley20242023
AvgFootnote5RangeAvgRange
Test weight (kg/hL)66.563.6-59.370.570.2-71.0
1000 kernel weight (g)42.339.6-45.049.448.2-50.3
Plump, over 7/64" sieve (%)48.637.6-59.666.563.5-69.5
Plump, over 6/64" sieve (%)86.582.8-90.298.198.0-98.2
MoistureFootnote4 (%)13.712.6-14.712.110.9-12.8
Protein (%, db)11.711.3-12.011.610.9-12.7
Germination, 4 ml (%)9999-999997-100
Germination, 8 ml (%)9593-979079-99
Quality parameter, malt20242023
AvgRangeAvgRange
Yield (%)91.391.0-91.588.888.3-89.7
Steep-out moisture (%)45.044.1-45.845.143.8-47.0
Friability (%)82.774.9-90.485.479.9-89.6
Moisture (%)4.54.3-4.75.65.4-5.9
Protein (%, db)11.511.0-12.011.911.1-13.3
Diastatic power (°, db)180169-191232222-248
α-Amylase (DU, db)74.373.3-75.3103.196.3-109.9
Quality parameter, wort20242023
AvgRangeAvgRange
Fine grind extract (F) (%, db)80.880.5-81.081.881.0-82.4
Coarse grind extract (C) (%, db)80.079.5-80.481.380.5-81.9
F-C difference (%, db)0.80.6-1.00.50-0.9
ß-Glucan (mg/L)14781-2134342-44
Viscosity (cP)1.451.44-1.471.411.40-1.42
Soluble protein (%, db)5.235.18-5.285.325.19-5.41
Ratio S/T (%)45.743.2-48.145.040.7-48.2
FAN (mg/L)185168-202242233-253
Colour (°)2.32.2-2.32.01.9-2.2

Sirish

Sirish is two-row barley with good yield potential, very short plant height and excellent standability. It was registered in 2017. Sirish has excellent plumpness and test weight, and its low height and structure offer great harvestability and easy straw management for both feed and malt producers. Sirish is moderately resistant to scald and common root rot; moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to Fusarium head blight and spot blotch; moderately susceptible to net blotch spot-form, and susceptible to stem rust. Sirish is a European style, low protein variety with a quality profile suited to the craft brewing market. Sirish is characterized by relatively low levels of malt enzymes, low wort β-glucans, low levels of soluble proteins and FAN, and good extract. Currently, Sirish is used primarily for feed.

Table 4.8  Quality data for Sirish malting barley in western Canada in 2024Footnote7

Samples20242023
Number56
Quality parameter, barley20242023
AvgFootnote5RangeAvgRange
Test weight (kg/hL)66.165.1-67.265.564.5-67.8
1000 kernel weight (g)46.141.2-48.347.843.0-50.3
Plump, over 7/64" sieve (%)66.451.3-81.768.067.8-68.2
Plump, over 6/64" sieve (%)95.288.6-97.597.096.8-97.2
MoistureFootnote4 (%)13.011.9-13.612.911.9-13.8
Protein (%, db)12.111.4-12.911.310.3-12.9
Germination, 4 ml (%)9893-1009897-99
Germination, 8 ml (%)8174-977156-96
Quality parameter, malt20242023
AvgRangeAvgRange
Yield (%)92.992.4-93.493.893.0-94.3
Steep-out moisture (%)45.144.4-45.745.042.4-46.0
Friability (%)84.069.8-90.581.567.7-91.8
Moisture (%)5.35.2-5.55.24.9-5.7
Protein (%, db)11.410.6-12.410.68.7-12.0
Diastatic power (°, db)146135-165135118-145
α-Amylase (DU, db)50.146.7-54.250.439.3-60.8
Quality parameter, wort20242023
AvgRangeAvgRange
Fine grind extract (F) (%, db)79.978.7-81.181.480.3-82.9
Coarse grind extract (C) (%, db)79.478.1-80.680.579.1-82.0
F-C difference (%, db)0.50.3-0.70.90.3-1.5
ß-Glucan (mg/L)7659-957544-199
Viscosity (cP)1.401.40-1.411.431.40-1.51
Soluble protein (%, db)4.273.78-4.543.853.29-4.30
Ratio S/T (%)37.434.2-41.936.629.5-42.3
FAN (mg/L)132116-141143110-158
Colour (°)1.81.6-1.91.81.6-2.0

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2024-12-12