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Barley Production, Barley Nutrient Content, and Quality of Malting Barley in Western Canada 2020

Quality data for individual malting barley varieties

CDC Copeland has remained the dominant malting barley variety grown in Western Canada in 2020. Its excellent brewing characteristics, combined with lower protein and enzyme levels than AC Metcalfe, provide an excellent balance within the portfolio of malting barley varieties.

Table 5.1 Quality data for CDC Copeland malting barleyFootnote1
Origin of selected samples Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Prairie Provinces
Crop year 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2015 to 2019 Average
Number of samples 12 16 17 14 4 2 33 32  
Tonnage represented by samples (thousands of tonnes)Footnote2 324 357 655 448 53 18 1,032 824 916
Barley
Test Weight (kg/hL) 67.1 66.0 66.5 66.1 66.6 66.4 66.7 66.1 66.8
1000 kernel weight (g) 44.1 44.1 44.9 46.3 45.4 44.4 44.7 45.3 46.4
Plump, over 6/64" sieve (%) 90.5 91.5 91.7 93.7 91.6 92.4 91.3 92.7 94.1
Intermediate grade over 5/64" sieve (%) 7.9 7.0 6.9 5.0 6.8 6.4 7.2 5.9 4.5
Moisture (%) Footnote3 10.8 12.7 11.8 13.3 10.6 11.9 11.4 13.1 12.2
Protein (%, db) 11.6 11.5 11.8 11.3 11.5 11.3 11.7 11.4 11.5
Germination, 4 ml (%) 100 98 99 99 99 99 99 98 98
Germination, 8 ml (%) 98 93 98 93 96 95 98 93 93
Malt
Yield (%) 91.5 91.6 90.5 90.9 91.0 91.3 90.8 91.2 91.1
Steep-out moisture (%) 45.1 45.1 45.6 45.6 45.4 44.7 45.4 45.4 44.9
Friability, (%) 78.6 72.0 78.2 74.8 80.1 76.3 78.4 73.6 76.3
Moisture (%) 4.2 5.2 4.5 5.1 4.1 5.4 4.4 5.1 5.2
Protein (%, db) 11.5 11.7 11.8 11.7 11.4 11.7 11.7 11.7 11.7
Diastatic power (°, db) 146 169 156 158 148 168 157 163 160
α-Amylase (DU, db) 73.1 68.4 74.7 65.7 75.8 69.9 74.3 67.0 71.0
Wort
Fine grind extract (F) (%, db) 80.5 81.0 80.2 81.0 80.8 81.2 80.3 81.0 80.7
Coarse grind extract (C) (%, db) 79.8 80.3 79.7 80.6 79.8 80.7 79.7 80.5 80.0
F-C difference (%, db) 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.4 1.0 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.7
ß-Glucan (mg/L) 85 118 83 102 90 102 84 109 83
Viscosity (cP) 1.45 1.44 1.44 1.43 1.46 1.42 1.44 1.44 1.43
Soluble protein (%, db) 5.12 4.71 5.15 4.81 5.15 4.74 5.14 4.77 4.58
Ratio S/T (%) 44.5 40.3 43.8 41.2 45.2 40.5 44.1 40.8 39.2
FAN (mg/L) 179 184 185 188 182 189 183 186 195
Colour (º) 2.02 1.68 1.96 1.89 2.25 1.82 1.99 1.79 1.94

In 2020, the production of AC Metcalfe continued its steady decline. With high levels of starch-degrading enzymes, however, AC Metcalfe exhibits excellent brewing performance and still generates demand from both domestic and export markets.

Table 5.2 Quality data for AC Metcalfe malting barleyFootnote1
Origin of selected samples Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Prairie Provinces
Crop year 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2015 to 2019 Average
Number of samples 4 6 13 8 2 2 19 16  
Tonnage represented by samples (thousands of tonnes)Footnote2 95 113 254 268 16.4 9.6 365 390 614
Barley
Test Weight (kg/hL) 68.6 66.7 68.3 67.1 68.3 66.3 68.4 66.9 68.4
1000 kernel weight (g) 43.7 42.2 44.1 43.8 43.8 41.7 44.0 43.3 44.4
Plump, over 6/64" sieve (%) 91.4 90.3 91.7 91.2 91.4 88.7 91.6 90.8 92.9
Intermediate grade, over 5/64" sieve, (%) 6.9 8.0 6.7 7.2 6.6 9.3 6.7 7.5 5.4
Moisture (%) Footnote3 11.1 12.9 12.2 13.3 10.8 12.7 11.9 13.2 12.0
Protein (%, db) 12.3 12.2 12.3 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.3 12.2 12.2
Germination, 4 ml (%) 99 98 99 97 99 100 99 97 98
Germination, 8 ml (%) 91 87 94 89 89 95 93 89 90
Malt
Yield (%) 89.4 91.2 90.5 91.4 89.4 90.9 90.1 91.3 90.7
Steep-out moisture (%) 46.0 45.7 46.1 46.1 46.1 45.9 46.1 45.9 45.2
Friability (%) 65.7 59.1 66.0 58.5 66.6 58.4 65.9 58.7 64.2
Moisture (%) 4.9 5.4 4.8 5.3 4.9 5.5 4.8 5.3 5.4
Protein (%, db) 12.1 12.3 12.2 12.1 12.1 12.4 12.1 12.2 12.2
Diastatic power (°, db) 192 202 190 197 194 200 191 198 187
α-Amylase (DU, db) 96.1 90.0 93.9 86.3 95.5 91.8 94.6 87.5 91.7
Wort
Fine grind extract (F) (%, db) 80.6 81.1 80.7 81.2 80.6 81.0 80.7 81.2 81.1
Coarse grind extract (C) (%, db) 80.2 80.5 80.2 80.6 80.3 80.5 80.2 80.6 80.4
F-C difference (%, db) 0.4 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
ß-Glucan (mg/L) 82 120 87 123 83 117 85 122 84
Viscosity (cP) 1.43 1.44 1.43 1.44 1.43 1.43 1.43 1.44 1.43
Soluble protein (%) 5.23 4.94 5.32 5.04 5.21 5.07 5.29 5.02 4.82
Ratio S/T (%) 43.3 40.2 43.8 41.5 43.2 40.7 43.6 41.1 39.7
FAN (mg/L) 204 198 196 200 206 205 199 200 213
Colour (º) 2.03 1.77 1.94 1.93 2.02 1.85 1.97 1.88 2.08

The popularity of AAC Synergy on the Prairies significantly increased in 2020 with acreage exceeding that of AC Metcalfe. AAC Synergy is a newer high-yielding variety that is characterized by relatively high kernel weight and plumpness, and relatively low grain protein content. 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 5.3 Quality data for AAC Synergy malting barleyFootnote1
Origin of selected samples Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Prairie Provinces
Crop year 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2015 to 2019 Average
Number of samples 11 12 11 4 5 0 27 16  
Tonnage represented by samples (thousands of tonnes)Footnote2 237 125 225 72 18 - 480 197 136
Barley
Test Weight (kg/hL) 67.6 66.4 67.4 65.7 66.6 - 67.5 66.1 66.9
1000 kernel weight (g) 47.6 47.4 47.6 47.8 47.6 - 47.6 47.6 48.5
Plump, over 6/64" sieve (%) 95.3 95.7 94.6 95.2 94.3 - 95.0 95.5 96.4
Intermediate grade, over 5/64" sieve (%) 3.6 3.2 4.3 3.6 4.5 - 3.9 3.4 2.5
Moisture (%) Footnote3 11.8 13.4 11.6 12.2 10.5 - 11.7 13.0 12.4
Protein (%) 11.2 10.8 11.9 11.2 11.9 - 11.5 10.9 11.2
Germination, 4 ml (%) 99 98 99 99 98 - 99 98 99
Germination, 8 ml (%) 93 85 96 92 93 - 94 86 92
Malt
Yield (%) 89.5 91.5 90.2 92.0 89.7 - 89.8 91.6 90.9
Steep-out moisture (%) 46.5 46.2 46.2 46.4 46.7 - 46.4 46.3 45.6
Friability (%) 77.7 69.1 73.9 67.6 72.3 - 75.7 68.5 73.5
Moisture (%) 4.7 5.1 4.7 5.2 4.9 - 4.7 5.2 5.2
Protein (°,db) 11.0 10.7 11.7 11.4 11.7 - 11.3 11.0 11.2
Diastatic power (°,db) 158 146 167 184 173 - 163 161 159
α-Amylase (DU, db) 82.1 68.2 83.5 80.3 87.6 - 82.9 73.1 78.0
Wort
Fine grind extract (F) (%, db) 81.1 81.8 80.9 82.0 81.0 - 81.0 81.9 81.4
Coarse grind extract (C) (%, db) 80.8 81.4 80.4 81.9 80.4 - 80.6 81.6 80.8
F-C difference (%, db) 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.1 0.6 - 0.4 0.3 0.5
ß-Glucan (mg/L) 68 109 66 102 69 - 67 107 61
Viscosity (cP) 1.42 1.43 1.41 1.43 1.41 - 1.42 1.43 1.42
Soluble protein (%, db) 4.99 4.48 5.03 4.73 5.12 - 5.01 4.58 4.42
Ratio S/T (%) 45.6 42.0 43.2 41.5 43.9 - 44.4 41.8 39.8
FAN (mg/L) 169 167 170 176 176 - 170 170 185
Colour (º) 1.89 1.76 1.81 1.79 1.92 - 1.86 1.77 1.86

AAC Connect, registered in 2016, is a high-yielding malting barley variety with excellent agronomic traits and disease resistance. Production of this cultivar is steadily increasing. This variety offers high extract, moderate to high enzymes and relatively low FAN levels, as well as good brewhouse performance and fermentability.

Table 5.4 Quality data for AAC Connect malting barley Footnote1
Origin of selected samples Prairie Provinces
Crop year 2020 2019 2018 2017 to 2019 Average
Number of samples 21 8 6  
Tonnage represented by samples (thousands of tonnes)Footnote2 72.2 8.8 7.7 6.0
Barley
Test Weight (kg/hL) 67.9 67.9 67.8 67.3
1000 kernel weight (g) 49.5 51.1 52.2 51.4
Plump, over 6/64" sieve (%) 94.4 97.2 96.7 96.2
Intermediate grade, over 5/64" sieve (%) 4.4 2.2 2.4 2.9
Moisture (%)Footnote3 11.8 14.0 12.9 13.6
Protein (%, db) 11.8 11.1 11.3 11.1
Germination, 4 ml (%) 99 99 99 99
Germination, 8 ml (%) 93 89 97 93
Malt
Yield, (%) 89.8 91.8 92.2 91.7
Steep-out moisture (%) 46.0 44.4 45.6 44.6
Friability (%) 80.5 73.3 83.0 80.1
Moisture (%) 4.7 5.1 4.7 5.0
Protein (%, db) 11.7 11.1 11.2 11.2
Diastatic power (°, db) 172 166 160 164
α-Amylase (DU, db) 85.8 72.3 70.5 75.0
Wort
Fine grind extract (F) (%, db) 81.6 82.8 82.1 82.2
Coarse grind extract (C) (%, db) 81.3 82.0 81.4 81.6
F-C difference (%, db) 0.3 0.8 0.7 0.6
ß-Glucan (mg/L) 79 108 71 81
Viscosity (cP) 1.42 1.43 1.43 1.43
Soluble protein (%, db) 5.05 4.36 3.77 4.00
Ratio S/T (%) 43.2 39.3 33.9 35.9
FAN (mg/L) 163 157 137 145
Colour (º) 1.95 1.79 1.64 1.71

CDC Bow, registered in 2015, is a high-yielding malting barley variety with excellent agronomic traits and disease resistance. Production of this cultivar is slowly increasing. CDC Bow offers high extract, moderate to high enzymes, high FAN levels, high fermentability and good overall brewhouse performance.

Table 5.5 Quality data for CDC Bow malting barley Footnote1
Origin of selected samples Prairie Provinces
Crop year 2020 2019 2018 2017 to 2019 Average
Number of samples 17 12 2  
Tonnage represented by samples (thousands of tonnes) Footnote2 11.2 6.0 2.0 3.3
Barley
Test Weight (kg/hL) 68.5 67.9 67.8 68.9
1000 kernel weight (g) 48.7 49.7 49.6 51.0
Plump, over 6/64" sieve (%) 95.8 97.8 96.4 97.3
Intermediate grade, over 5/64" sieve (%) 2.9 1.6 2.6 1.9
Moisture (%)Footnote3 11.7 13.8 12.0 12.9
Protein (%, db) 10.9 10.4 10.8 10.8
Germination, 4 ml (%) 98 98 100 99
Germination, 8 ml (%) 88 89 98 95
Malt
Yield (%) 89.8 91.1 90.6 91.1
Steep-out moisture (%) 46.1 46.1 46.1 45.2
Friability (%) 83.0 76.8 83.7 78.5
Moisture (%) 4.6 5.0 4.5 4.8
Protein (%, db) 10.8 10.4 10.8 10.7
Diastatic power (°, db) 153 154 155 154
α-Amylase (DU, db) 87.5 72.5 74.3 73.3
Wort
Fine grind extract (F) (%, db) 81.8 82.6 82.3 82.4
Coarse grind extract (C) (%, db) 81.6 82.2 82.2 82.1
F-C difference (%, db) 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.3
ß-Glucan (mg/L) 85 110 80 88
Viscosity (cP) 1.42 1.45 1.42 1.44
Soluble protein (%, db) 5.37 4.90 4.82 4.65
Ratio S/T (%) 50.0 46.0 44.8 43.1
FAN (mg/L) 194 207 198 193
Colour (º) 2.34 2.00 1.99 1.91

CDC Fraser, registered in 2016, is a high yielding variety with excellent lodging resistance. This variety offers high extract, as well as moderate to high enzyme and FAN levels.

Table 5.6 Quality data for CDC Fraser malting barley Footnote1
Origin of selected samples Prairie Provinces
Crop year 2020 2019 2018 2018-2019 Average
Number of samples 13 4 2  
Tonnage represented by samples (thousands of tonnes)Footnote2 7.7 2.2 0.9 1.6
Barley
Test Weight (kg/hL) 66.7 66.5 69.2 97.9
1000 kernel weight (g) 48.7 49.5 54.7 52.1
Plump, over 6/64" sieve (%) 95.6 97.0 99.5 98.3
Intermediate grade, over 5/64" sieve (%) 3.3 1.8 0.1 1.0
Moisture (%)Footnote3 12.5 14.3 12.2 13.3
Protein (%, db) 11.3 10.5 11.3 10.9
Germination, 4 ml (%) 98 99 99 99
Germination, 8 ml (%) 84 89 99 94
Malt
Yield, (%) 88.9 90.2 91.1 90.7
Steep-out moisture (%) 47.4 46.2 45.5 45.9
Friability (%) 87.7 83.6 77.2 80.4
Moisture (%) 4.7 5.4 5.5 5.5
Protein (%, db) 11.2 10.7 11.2 11.0
Diastatic power (°, db) 174 165 179 172
α-Amylase (DU, db) 83.8 68.6 81.4 75.0
Wort
Fine grind extract (F) (%, db) 81.6 82.7 82.1 82.4
Coarse grind extract (C) (%, db) 81.2 82.4 82.1 82.3
F-C difference (%, db) 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.2
ß-Glucan (mg/L) 67 99 77 88
Viscosity (cP) 1.43 1.42 1.42 1.42
Soluble protein (%, db) 5.44 4.61 4.27 4.44
Ratio S/T (%) 48.8 43.3 38.1 40.7
FAN (mg/L) 188 186 185 186
Colour (º) 2.54 2.02 1.84 1.93

The area seeded with Newdale continues to occupy a relatively small percentage of the total area seeded with malting barley in 2020. Its low to moderate levels of enzymes, soluble proteins and FAN make this variety well suited for all-malt brewing.

Table 5.7 Quality data for Newdale malting barley Footnote1
Origin of selected samples Prairie Provinces
Crop year Footnote4 2020 2019 2018 2012 to 2018 Average
Number of samples 9 2 4  
Tonnage represented by samples (thousands of tonnes) Footnote2 22.4 4.8 9.3 17
Barley
Test Weight (kg/hL) 66.4 67.9 68.5 67.3
1000 kernel weight (g) 54.4 50.4 48.6 47.4
Plump, over 6/64" sieve (%) 93.0 96.0 96.0 94.9
Intermediate grade, over 5/64" sieve (%) 5.4 3.0 3.2 3.8
Moisture (%)Footnote3 13.0 13.7 13.2 13.0
Protein (%, db) 11.3 10.5 11.9 11.7
Germination, 4 ml (%) 99 99 99 99
Germination, 8 ml (%) 84 65 92 86
Malt
Yield (%) 90.4 91.6 90.7 90.9
Steep-out moisture (%) 46.4 43.9 45.6 44.8
Friability (%) 82.3 77.8 70.6 73.4
Moisture (%) 4.7 4.9 4.8 5.1
Protein (%, db) 11.1 10.6 12.1 11.6
Diastatic power (°, db) 146 144 153 150
α-Amylase (DU, db) 73.1 67.0 76.0 70.5
Wort
Fine grind extract (F) (%, db) 80.3 81.9 80.7 80.6
Coarse grind extract (C) (%, db) 79.7 81.3 79.6 79.8
F-C difference (%, db) 0.6 0.6 1.2 0.8
ß-Glucan (mg/L) 91 174 67 87
Viscosity (cP) 1.42 1.47 1.42 1.43
Soluble protein (%, db) 4.59 4.29 3.97 4.29
Ratio S/T (%) 41.5 40.6 33.0 36.8
FAN (mg/L) 146 145 156 166
Colour (º) 1.92 1.70 1.80 1.77

CDC Churchill, recently registered in 2019, is a high yielding variety with low grain protein, low to moderate levels of malt enzymes, low wort β-glucans, and high extract potential.

Table 5.8 Quality data for CDC Churchill malting barley Footnote1
Origin of selected samples Prairie Provinces
Crop year 2020
Number of samples 5
Barley
Test Weight (kg/hL) 69.5
1000 kernel weight (g) 47.5
Plump, over 6/64" sieve (%) 93.4
Intermediate grade, over 5/64" sieve (%) 5.3
Moisture (%)Footnote3 12.0
Protein (%, db) 10.6
Germination, 4 ml (%) 99
Germination, 8 ml (%) 82
Malt
Yield (%) 90.0
Steep-out moisture (%) 45
Friability (%) 83
Moisture (%) 4.6
Protein, (%, db) 11.0
Diastatic power (°, db) 146
α-Amylase (DU, db) 76.4
Wort
Fine grind extract (F) (%, db) 81.8
Coarse grind extract (C) (%, db) 81.4
F-C difference (%, db) 0.4
ß-Glucan (mg/L) 85
Viscosity (cP) 1.43
Soluble protein (%, db) 4.82
Ratio S/T (%) 43.9
FAN (mg/L) 160
Colour (º) 1.97

CDC Copper, recently registered in 2018, is a high yielding variety with a strong leaf disease package. It is a low grain protein variety with malt enzymatic activity similar to Copeland and high extract potential.

Table 5.9 Quality data for CDC Copper malting barley Footnote1
Origin of selected samples Prairie Provinces
Crop year 2020
Number of samples 6
Barley
Test Weight (kg/hL) 66.8
1000 kernel weight (g) 47.7
Plump, over 6/64" sieve (%) 94.3
Intermediate grade, over 5/64" sieve (%) 4.6
Moisture (%)Footnote3 12.8
Protein (%, db) 10.8
Germination, 4 ml (%) 97
Germination, 8 ml (%) 63
Malt
Yield (%) 88.3
Steep-out moisture (%) 47.6
Friability (%) 80.8
Moisture (%) 4.7
Protein (%, db) 11.0
Diastatic power (°, db) 152
α-Amylase (DU, db) 74.7
Wort
Fine grind extract (F) (%, db) 81.5
Coarse grind extract (C) (%, db) 81.0
F-C difference (%, db) 0.5
ß-Glucan (mg/L) 80
Viscosity (cP) 1.45
Soluble protein (%, db) 4.98
Ratio S/T (%) 45.6
FAN (mg/L) 157
Colour (º) 3.21

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