Grain Industry at Risk as Rail Labour Dispute Looms, CMBTC Urges Immediate Action
21/08/2024
August 21, 2024 (Winnipeg, MB) – As farmers across Canada begin harvesting, a looming labour dispute between the nation’s two major freight railways and their unionized workers threatens to disrupt grain transportation, putting the entire grain sector at risk. The Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC) urges the government, railways, and labour organizations to act swiftly and use available tools to avert a crisis that could harm farmers, the national economy, global food security and Canada’s reputation as a reliable grain supplier.
“A disruption on even one railway would send shockwaves through our economy, but a complete stoppage would be disastrous for Canada’s grain industry,” said Peter Watts, Managing Director of the CMBTC. With harvest underway and rail systems already under strain, any interruption will severely hinder our ability to meet commitments to both domestic and international buyers.”
Canada’s ability to deliver high-quality grains relies on efficient rail service. By the end of August, 50 per cent of Western Canada’s barley crop will be harvested, much of it destined for export as malting barley and processed malt. A rail service shutdown would disrupt the entire grain supply chain, causing grain elevators and processing plants to reach capacity quickly and forcing farmers to halt deliveries. This would lead to significant cash flow problems, operational challenges, and long-term damage to Canada’s standing as a dependable global supplier.
“This isn’t just about delays—it’s about livelihoods, sector stability, and the health of our national economy. Even a brief disruption might seem manageable, but the resulting backlogs could take months to clear, causing long-term damage,” Watts added.
The CMBTC strongly urges the government, rail companies and labour unions to use every available resource to prevent a rail service stoppage. “Allowing unnecessary labour disputes to jeopardize our global reputation and national prosperity is simply unacceptable,” says Watts.
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For more information, please contact:
Hayley Stacey
Manager, Markets and Communications
hstacey@cmbtc.com
204-804-3333
CMBTC to Strengthen International Partnerships With Seminar in China
24/05/2024
May 24, 2024 (Winnipeg, MB) – The Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC) is pleased to announce the 2024 Canada-China Barley Seminar, convening in Qingdao, China, from June 19 to 20, 2024. This seminar aims to foster direct engagement between the Canadian barley value chain and Chinese maltsters and brewers, strengthening relationships with a key market for Canadian barley.
“This seminar offers a unique platform for the Canadian barley value chain to engage directly with Chinese maltsters and brewers, covering critical aspects of Canadian barley supply and quality, production practices and sustainability,” states Jon White, Chair of the CMBTC. “China is a key market for Canadian barley. This event is pivotal in showcasing our superior quality to our end users.”
The seminar will highlight Canada’s barley value chain, including farmers, representatives from our world-class barley breeding programs and grain company suppliers who will speak to our sustainable growing practices, best-in-class malting barley varieties and our systems to source and deliver the highest-quality malting barley in the world. Together, these pillars constitute Canada’s premium value proposition and drive the industry’s continuous advancement.
“In today’s competitive global market, seizing opportunities to foster trusted and mutually beneficial relationships at home and around the world is crucial,” says Peter Watts, Managing Director of the CMBTC. “End users are keenly interested in the systems and standards that distinguish Canada’s malting supply, quality and performance. This seminar has been tailored to address the evolving needs and interests of international end users, who seek products that will meet their current and future needs, as well as insights into the Canadian system.”
The Canada-China Barley Seminar aligns with the CMBTC’s ongoing efforts to engage with international partners, complementing the annual summer crop tour and international new crop seminars held each fall.
“It’s an exciting time at the CMBTC,” White says. “As we look to celebrate our 25th anniversary next year, we are committed to offering a comprehensive understanding of the Canadian barley value chain to our customers and remain dedicated to promoting its exceptional work.”
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For more information, please contact:
Hayley Stacey
Manager, Markets and Communications
Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre
hstacey@cmbtc.com
204-804-3333
Serra McSymytz
Communications Manager
Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission
smcsymytz@saskbarley.com
306-241-6172
Jonathan Anderson
Director, Marketing, Communications & Events
Alberta Grains
media@albertagrains.com
403-371-2132
Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
Manitoba Crop Alliance
cole@mbcropalliance.ca
403-589-3529
About the CMBTC – The CMBTC is an independent, national industry association supporting Canada’s full barley value chain. Our goal is to strengthen Canada’s role as a world leader in supplying high-quality barley and malt to the domestic and global market and to ensure a thriving, competitive and sustainable Canadian barley industry.
CMBTC Issues 2021-22 Recommended Malting Barley Varieties List
17/11/2020
The Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC) has issued its list of recommended malting barley varieties for the 2021-22 marketing year. The list identifies varieties that hold the most promise for producers in terms of selection and marketability based on current acceptance in the market place. All of the varieties have been pilot tested at the CMBTC and each exhibit very good malting and brewing characteristics.
This year’s list contains not only established varieties such as CDC Copeland, AC Metcalfe and AAC Synergy, but promising newcomers as well, says Peter Watts, Managing Director of the CMBTC.
“Canada has a suite of new varieties under market development with excellent malting and brewing properties as well as improved agronomics and disease resistance,” he says. “Up-and-coming varieties such as AAC Connect, CDC Bow and CDC Fraser are among the next generation of high-quality performers that malting barley producers should consider for seeding in 2021.”
The domestic malting industry in Canada has been testing these new varieties over the past several years with positive results, while the CMBTC has been working with international customers to undertake production trials on location to gain acceptance.
“AC Metcalfe has been a remarkably successful variety worldwide for over 15 years that helped solidify Canada as a supplier of premium quality malting barley. However improved field performance of new varieties including significantly higher yields, better lodging resistance and improved disease packages, will help Canadian malting barley stay competitive in the global market, while offering excellent malting and brewing attributes for both mainstream and all malt brewers” says Watts.
Producers should speak with their local malting barley buyers to discuss which varieties are best suited for production and selection in their region. The CMBTC recommends farmers have a production contract, particularly when growing new malting barley varieties.
View the CMBTC 2021-22 Recommended Malting Barley Varieties list
For more information:
Peter Watts, Managing Director, CMBTC
Phone: 204-983-1981 Email: pwatts@cmbtc.com
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