Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
February 5, 2009
The barley sandwich may soon be
more than a nickname for beer. Western Canadian farmers, through
the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB),
are supporting ongoing research to help develop niche-markets
for their barley as food for health-conscious consumers. The
University of Saskatchewan's Crop Development Centre (CDC) has
received $50,000 as one-year interim support to continue
breeding improved barley varieties suitable for the fledgling
food-barley industry.
Use of Prairie barley for food like bread, doughnuts, pizza
crust, tortillas, nutrition bars and cookies has attracted great
interest among food giants in Canada, Japan and Britain.
National Canadian bread and doughnut makers are exploring
barley's added health properties, while the Mitake corporation
in Japan has launched a high-fibre barley flour for use in baked
goods.
"Increasing demand for barley through this new food industry
will mean greater returns for western Canadian farmers," said
Ian White, CWB president and CEO.
A number of groups, including the CWB, are pursuing Health
Canada approval for a health-statement for barley that could be
included on product labels, similar to the one approved by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2006. Barley is an
excellent source of beta-glucan soluble fibre, containing
antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients which may
reduce risk of heart attack, diabetes and certain cancers.
The CWB also supports work by the Canadian International Grains
Institute (CIGI) in Winnipeg and the Food Processing Development
Centre in Leduc, Alberta to develop nutritional barley flour and
prototype food products. In addition to $35,000 in funding, the
CWB has purchased specialized equipment and attracted Canadian
and Japanese food-industry participants for several food barley
demonstration programs at CIGI. Core funding comes from
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Alberta Agriculture
and Food Council. Other partners include the Alberta Barley
Commission and food corporations.
The research by the University of Saskatchewan CDC barley
research and development team is conducted under the direction
of plant breeder Dr. Brian Rossnagel. The team has been working
for over 25 years to develop varieties of hulless barley for a
number of uses. In addition to Saskatchewan Ministry of
Agriculture core funding, this work is supported by the Western
Grains Research Foundation barley check-off and several industry
partners.
"Recent interest has renewed the focus on plant research that
can help increase consumer demand for barley as food," Rossnagel
said. "To maximize marketability, we are working on barley
varieties with increased dietary fibre, among other desirable
properties."
Located within the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, the
CDC is Saskatchewan's plant breeding institute. It develops
varieties of spring wheat, durum, canary seed, barley, oats,
flax, peas, lentils, chickpeas and dry beans for the benefit of
farmers and the agricultural industry. Since its inception, the
centre has released over 300 new plant varieties.
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the
largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. As one of
Canada's biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization
sells grain to over 70 countries and returns all sales revenue,
less marketing costs, to farmers. |
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