The Western Canadian Deduction (WCD) ended on July 31, 2017 with a smooth transition to the check-offs collected by barley commissions/associations. WGRF remains involved in barley variety development through a number of partnerships and agreements with university crop development centres and Government research facilities. WGRF is investing the remaining funds that were collected through the western Canadian barley check-off and ongoing royalty funds into barley variety development.

On January 15th, 2019, the Honourable Laurence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, delivered the official announcement for the National Barley Research Cluster (Barley Cluster) under the Canadian Agriculture Partnership (CAP) program. The Barley Cluster is a $10.2 M research initiative that aims to improve the competitiveness of barley as a cereal crop choice for Canadian producers and to deliver barley quality that will meet the diverse and evolving needs of its customers. The Barley Cluster is being led by the Barley Council of Canada. Funding for the Barley Cluster comes from the $6.3M Government commitment announced today, and a $3.9 M commitment from industry.

WGRF is investing $740,000 into the National Barley Research Cluster. WGRF will specifically support five projects focused on variety development, pathology and knowledge transfer.

For more information on the National Barley Research Cluster please visit barleyresearch.ca.