Five thousand current and
past barley producers in North Dakota, Idaho and Montana will be
able to share their views on barley production by completing a
survey assembled by major barley stakeholder groups.
The survey is a cooperative effort of
the Institute of Barley and Malt Sciences (IBMS) at
North Dakota State
University, Barley Coordinated Agricultural Project, Idaho
Barley Commission, North Dakota Barley Council, and Montana
Wheat and Barley Committee.
Members of the IBMS board of directors
represent barley producer, and malting and brewing industry
groups. The independent nature of the survey should lend
validity to the results.
Questions on the survey address the
effectiveness of producer support, available information,
factors influencing the decision to produce barley and overall
barley satisfaction levels.
One anticipated outcome of the survey is
that it will identify areas where producers need additional
information or support.
This could include aspects of barley
production, varieties, malt quality specifications and
components of the farm program. In addition, the survey
responses will help identify the most effective means for
communicating newly developed information.
Finally, the information gathered will
help inform barley processors and policymakers on the concerns
of barley producers.
This is a very important component in
addressing declining national barley production, according to
those who developed the survey.
Karen Hertsgaard, IBMS barley
information specialist, is coordinating the survey effort. The
USDA's North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service mailed forms
in November and will follow up with telephone interviews in
December. The survey should take about 15 to 30 minutes to
complete. Those who return it by Dec. 15 will be entered into a
drawing for gasoline gift certificates and other prizes. Prizes
were donated by the American Malting Barley Association,
Anheuser-Busch, Cargill Malt, International Malting Co.,
Molson-Coors Brewing and Rahr Malting Co.
