LET’S SET THE STANDARD TOGETHER
BY PETER WATTS
The Canadian agriculture sector understands the care and effort it takes to produce high-quality crops. We know this commitment is what sets Canadian malting barley apart. As sustainability becomes a top priority for end-users, Canada is uniquely positioned to meet these demands thanks to the stewardship and innovation of our farmers.
Now, we have an opportunity to take this one step further. As an industry, we want to set the Canadian standard together. To do this, we need the help of farmers and processors to quantify the sustainability of our practices and showcase this work to the world.
As a key ingredient in brewing, malting barley plays a vital role in the quality and environmental footprint of beer. According to work done by the Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain, malting barley contributes approximately 60 per cent of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with processed malt, while finished malt itself accounts for 20 to 25 per cent of the total emissions from a bottle or can of beer.
To measure the environmental footprint of Canadian malt and malting barley, the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC) is conducting a lifecycle assessment (LCA) study with funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriScience Program. The first stage of the study, led by Nathan Pelletier of the University of British Columbia, will benchmark Canadian malting barley production. It will assess practices and resulting GHG emissions, identify key aspects to improve efficiencies across the production process and evaluate how management practices may boost outcomes.
To collect this data, the study has started with the Barley Benchmarking Survey, which asks farmers to share key production data. Their input will be aggregated and anonymized to protect confidentiality. It will form the foundation of the LCA and ensure the study reflects real-world farming practices and quantifies the sustainability efforts already in place. Through this survey, we can showcase the care and commitment that goes into growing Canadian malting barley and strengthen its reputation.
Canada produces eight to 10 million tonnes of barley annually and exports approximately two million tonnes. Of this annual export figure, 1.2 million tonnes is processed malt for brewing and distilling and an additional one million tonnes of raw malting barley. Accounting for 10 per cent of the global supply, Canadian malting barley is considered a premium product, a testament to the expertise and innovation of western Canadian farmers.
The quality of Canadian malting barley sets it apart, as do the growing practices used by farmers. Western farmers have long been leaders in stewardship, employing practices that reduce the environmental impact of crop production. No-till farming, widely adopted across the Prairies, minimizes soil disturbance, improves carbon sequestration and reduces fuel consumption.
The Barley Benchmarking Survey will build on this strong foundation. Its data will validate these practices and meet the growing demand from brewers and buyers for verified sustainability metrics. This information is key to keep Canadian barley competitive. By establishing sustainability baselines, researchers can compare Canadian practices to those in other regions and explore strategies such as crop rotations that enhance soil health and agronomic efficiency.
The survey was launched in January and will be available at barleybenchmark.com until June 30, 2025, with results expected by the end of the year. Farmers who participate will play a vital role in advancing the industry’s sustainability story, and ensure Canadian malting barley remains the premium choice for brewers worldwide. Together, we can quantify the care and effort that goes into Canadian barley and set the standard for sustainability.
Peter Watts is the CMBTC managing director.
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