Basic HTML Version
consolidation of a lot of the major grain
players, and changes in the agronomy and
crops that are produced in the growing
region. Ten years ago we didn’t have soy-
beans to compete with, now we do. You
have to evolve to what’s current.
For the malt houses, it’s getting con-
sistent-quality barley because every year
there is something different and you have
to change your whole process to adjust to
that. Malting uses lots of water and power,
so fluctuations in those costs also have an
effect on us.
GW:
your job focuses on the supply
chain, interacting with both growers
and brewers—how do you see your role
in the industry now and in the future?
selinger:
The big thing we’ll see for my
role is that it’s going to become more com-
mon. There is no longer segregation be-
tween the barley people and the malt peo-
ple—it’s become a team effort. My job has
evolved into exactly that: I work not just
with barley producers but with customers
to produce the malt they need. We’ve gone
back to a grassroots type of thing where it’s
really important to have full traceability
across the production system.
It’s fair to say PML has a true belief that
barley isn’t a commodity. It’s a speciality
product and needs to be treated as such.
There is a need to be involved in the whole
industry to understand that and move it in
that direction.
GW:
What is it like developing and
maintaining relationships with local
malt growers?
selinger:
I have a barley supply-chain
team whose objective is to get out and
introduce companies to growers. We meet
with growers to ensure all their needs are
met, and provide agronomic and varietal
information on what to grow. Personally, I
provide information on price and the look
of markets, and work with growers to en-
sure their contracts meet their needs and
our needs. We attend farm shows across
the Prairies to meet new farmers.
GW:
What sets pml apart from other
maltsters?
selinger:
Our attention to detail. We are
a very quality-conscious malt house; we
have always promoted good practices on
the farm and full traceability of where
products come from. We have the ability
to have end-use customers meet directly
with growers, to visit the farms and see
the equipment. The key to our success is
strong relationships with both growers
and end-use customers. Obviously we
have a lot of competition, but we work
very hard to have personal relationships
and understand client needs beyond just
a commodity.
GW:
What do you enjoy most about
working in the industry?
selinger:
The people. I’ve had the
opportunity to travel all over the world,
meeting different people and experienc-
ing different cultures, and I realize we
all have something in common—we all
need agricultural commodities.
Contact your local retailer for more information.
Give your cereals every chance to thrive with
a pre-seed burndown from Nufarm.
BlackHawk
™
delivers faster, more complete weed control in a cereal pre-seed
burndown than glyphosate or Group 2 herbicides. Two active ingredients and
two modes of action deliver superior resistance management.
Always read and follow label directions. BlackHawk™ is a trademark of Nufarm Agriculture Inc.
35628-0114
Innovative solutions. Business made easy.
1.800.868.5444 Nufarm.ca
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR PRE-SEED CEREALS
Wipe out weeds with the best burndown.
Bar none.
Satisfaction guaranteed or your in-crop herbicide is free.
Visit nufarm.ca for full details.
Take the BlackHawk
pre-seed challenge