Colombia, a South American country of more than 50 million people, has a long brewing tradition introduced by German and European immigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries. Bavaria, by far the largest brewing company in Colombia, was established in 1889 and grew during the 20th century through a series of mergers to become a near monopoly by 2000. The brewer’s flagship beer brands Aguila and Poker are omnipresent in Colombia. In 2005, Bavaria was purchased by SABMiller and then in 2016 became part of AB InBev when the two global brewing giants merged.

Two Albertans are among the four recipients of 2026 Nuffield Canada Scholarships. Each will receive $20,000 to travel and research a topic of their choosing over a two-year stretch. Scholars join an international cohort founded in the U.K. that focuses on agricultural learning opportunities and knowledge sharing.

Until his 2025 retirement from official duties after 13 years, Fawcett area farmer Gordon McCann oversaw shinny games and hockey practices and maintained the ice at the Fawcett Community Hall and Arena. Its schedule now includes men’s and children’s leagues, and its two curling sheets are central to the community’s annual cabaret and bonspiel to be held this year in late January. Nicknamed Iceman McCann by young skaters, he continues to take on occasional volunteer arena activities and will field a team in the bonspiel.

Established in 1948, the Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute (BMBRI) has endured and largely maintained its initial mandate to improve Canadian malting barley top to bottom. This is achieved as the organization secures research grants, conducts quality evaluation of malting barley and disseminates information on the crop.

The relative value of gold to other commodities, including wheat, is at an all-time high. For example, one ounce of gold was worth almost 72 barrels of oil at the end of November 2025, up from 7.4 barrels in the same month of 2020. Over the same period, an ounce of gold went from being worth about 100 bushels of wheat to 750. What does this inverse relationship indicate?

Noodles have been a treasured food staple in China for nearly 4,000 years, but recent demand for high-quality pasta has grown. According to the World Instant Noodles Association, China was the world’s largest instant noodle consumer at 43.8 billion servings in 2024. Over the last decade, however, a shift has taken place as pasta has been adopted alongside traditional noodles and gained market share. Trade experts agree this shift has the potential to hugely impact CWAD exports.

On the Olds College Smart Farm, data is rolling in from an ongoing research project that utilizes the Raven Augmenta Field Analyzer. This camera vision machine learning technology senses crop conditions using digital imagery to adjust input application during field operations. Unlike current methods that rely on pre-determined maps, the camera uses an algorithm to make instantaneous decisions about the rate of inputs to apply on crops.

In contrast with the previous year, farmers across Western Canada produced an exceptional crop of malting barley in 2025. Strong yields, consistent quality and competitive pricing signals have drawn interest from major brewers and maltsters across multiple markets. The crop gives Canada a solid supply position as customers prepare their 2026 malting and brewing schedules.

Developed and delivered in collaboration with Farm Credit Canada and RBC, the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) at the University of Guelph offers Foundations in Agricultural Management. The free online course is aimed at Canadian farmers, their families and ag industry professionals who wish to improve their business acumen, financial literacy and management skills. The non-credit, video seminar course is comprised of eight modules that take an average of 15 to 20 minutes each to work through. Compatible with busy farm lifestyles, to earn a certificate of completion, participants can finish the course at their own pace.

Science has enriched the world in countless ways: the light bulb, penicillin, crazy glue. Speaking on the latter, research is the glue that holds the grain sector together. Alberta Grains annually approves funding for multiple studies that may benefit farmers.