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Barley Development Council (BDC)

The Barley Development Council (BDC) was formed in 1994 and incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 2004.  Its members include barley producers, users, government institutions and scientists from across Western Canada.  Incorporation has allowed the Council to manage an annual Canadian Barley Symposium and support various conferences and competitions related to the barley industry in Canada, as well as its administration and publication expenses. Each member organization selects one representative to sit on the Council. 

Since its formation, the Council has continued to focus on five objectives:

  1. establishing priorities for barley research and product development
  2. promoting collaborative research projects in various institutions
  3. making recommendations to appropriate agencies about issues that impact barley research, production and marketing
  4. providing a forum where barley issues may be discussed
  5. providing assistance to people and agencies that undertake council-related activities.

University of Saskatchewan, Crop Development Centre

The Crop Development Centre (CDC) is a field crop research organization within the Department of Plant Sciences.  CDC scientists integrate basic research with genetic improvement of spring wheat, durum, canaryseed, barley, oat, flax, field pea, lentil, chickpea, favabean and dry bean.

The CDC was created in 1971, and has been instrumental in the development of some of Canada’s most successful barley varieties (Harrington, CDC Copeland and CDC Meredith). The CDC is recognized nationally and internationally for basic and applied crop research and development and successful field crop breeding.  CDC scientists collaborate with many partners across the public and private sector.

The Alberta Agricultural Research Institute in Lacombe

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Field Crop Development Centre in Lacombe is a variety development and genetic resource centre.  The Centre provides administration and coordination for a cooperative scientific research program with the province, AAFC and the Alberta Barley Commission.  This joint partnership was launched in 1993 to develop new cultivars of barley that have the production and utilization characteristics needed for the advancement of the agri-food sector in Alberta.  The Centre’s Director is Dr. Jim Helm.