The Prince Edward Island Grain Elevators Corporation is offering contracts to growers who are interested in malt barley production this season. The Corporation has secured enough seed to plant 1500 acres this spring. The seed will be provided to interested producers and the cost of the seed will be deferred until the crop is harvested.
In 1998 two growers produced 100 acres of the variety Excel. This barley was marketed as malting barley and met all the necessary standards.
In 1999 twelve growers grew a total of 800 acres. The dry spring followed by warm wet weather at harvest resulted in the barley not meeting the quality required for malting so the barley was marketed as feed.
If the crop this year is not suitable for malting the farmer can choose to sell to the Corporation or retain for home feeding. Cost of the seed would then be billed to either the grower or deducted from the delivered product.
"The Corporation believes Island producers can meet the quality standards most years," said John Griffin, acting chairperson. "We still need to confirm whether they can realize a greater return compared to producing feed barley. We will evaluate feasibility from a quality point of view and return to producers."
"Field work and regional trials indicated proposed malting varieties yielded as well as feed varieties," said Peter Boswall, Field Crops Development Officer with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. "This means a producer can try this crop without a concern of a production yield penalty."
Some contracts are still available. Interested producers should contact their nearest elevator manager.