· We need to find out what is involved in the development and selection of those varieties to suit those market requests be it for turkey rations, barley for Shochu in Japan, or ingredients in functional foods.

o         It takes a number of years to get a new variety or crop tailored for use, and we will have to be looking to the future needs for these crops to have them ready in time.

· We need to have a good understanding of the agronomics for those new crops and their end uses,

o         should they be raised in cold climate, under wet harsh conditions to concentrate the active ingredients, or under irrigation in the Palliser triangle to produce the most starch per acre possible for alcohol production?

· Next we’ll need systems that allow us to identify, track and trace these new IP crops and deliver them to the end user in the format they require.

· We need marketing systems that not only allow for value adding and diversification into these new markets, but systems that actually encourage such risk taking.

o         Moreover, these systems would allow farmers to be partners in the value chain, and be paid a premium for growing what end users want.

· We’ll need risk management & insurance programs that encourage diversification and reward risk takers while allowing them to manage financial risks.

o         This means options to hedge, contract, and cash price, as well as agronomic tools to minimize crop and weather risks that can be tailored to individual situations and operations.

· Finally, to make the system work, we see a province that welcomes and encourages value-added processing and manufacturing ventures to locate here in Alberta.

o         One that creates a climate for investment that has reduced barriers to entry and facilitates smooth operations of those ventures.

o          One that encourages local processors to locate throughout Alberta to utilize these crops in the province and provide jobs for Albertans.

o         And one that encourages the same kind of venture capital investment for crop use industries that made the oil industry and ultimately Alberta so successful.

Profile

The Alberta Barley Commission is a not-for-profit organization which is funded, directed and controlled by Alberta barley farmers. The Commission was established on August 1, 1991 under the province's Marketing of Agricultural Products Act with a mandate to coordinate and sponsor research, market development, technology transfer, and policy development on behalf of barley producers. It is the only barley commission in Canada.

The Board of Directors consists of six barley producers elected from the six regions of the province, as well as three directors elected-at-large. Directors may serve up to two consecutive terms of three years each. The Board's role is to oversee the general direction of the Commission's activities. A small office staff works with the Board on specific issues of interest to barley producers.

Barley farmers in Alberta support the work of the Commission through a refundable check-off of 50 cents per tonne of barley sold. Funds are invested in projects which will move the barley industry forward while contributing to the economic well-being of the province's barley producers. Alberta grows approximately half of Canada's barley crop.

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