Canada: Western Canada’s barley production in 2024 estimated at 7.839 mln tonnes

In 2024, the total area seeded with barley in western Canada was 2.504 million hectares. This is approximately 13% lower than in 2023 and 7% lower than the 10-year average (2.688 million hectares). Barley production in western Canada in 2024 is estimated at 7.839 million tonnes. This is approximately 10% lower than in 2023 and 7% lower than the 10-year average. Heat stress during the filling period contributed to a lower than expected barley yield and production, Canadian Grain Commission said in its 2024 report.

The average test weight of malting barley in 2024 was 64.7 kg/hL, which is lower than the 2023 average (65.0 kg/hL) and lower than the 10-year average (66.6 kg/hL). The average 1000 kernel weight in 2024 was 44.1 g, which is substantially lower than the 10-year average (45.6 g). The lower kernel plumpness in 2024 was associated with a lower starch content in the grain. However, the average level of barley proteins (12.2%) in 2024, was similar to last year, and only slightly higher than the 10-year average (12.0%). Despite some pre-harvest sprouting, barley exhibited an excellent average germination energy (99%), a high germination index, and no water sensitivity.

In 2024, AAC Synergy was the most popular variety of malting barley grown in western Canada. The area seeded with AAC Synergy accounted for 33.6% of the area seeded with malting varieties in western Canada. The area seeded with CDC Copeland (17.4%) substantially decreased compared to 2023. The other popular malting varieties in 2024 were AAC Connect (12.3%) and CDC Fraser (8.1%). CDC Churchill is also becoming a popular variety whose acreage increased to 7.1% in 2024 from 3.1% in 2023. The area planted with Sirish, a malting variety registered in 2017, continues to increase, although this cultivar is used mostly for general purpose/feed. The area seeded with AC Metcalfe decreased from 3.7% in 2023 to 1.5% in 2024. The areas seeded with CDC Copper and Bill Coors 100 remained relatively small, 1.1% and 0.6%, respectively.

In 2024, six-rowed cultivars accounted for approximately 2.0% of the total area seeded with malting barley, slightly lower that 2.7% estimated last year. Legacy, Celebration and Tradition remained the top six-rowed varieties.

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