By Kent Kupfner, MWBC Executive Director, March 1, 2025
Conference & Meeting Season
For the record, I enjoy the growing season much more than the conference and meeting season we’re currently in the midst of! However, the myriad of industry-related gatherings MWBC attends represents a great opportunity for networking and staying abreast of many wide-ranging topics important to wheat and barley producers.
MWBC invests nearly 50 percent of our annual budget on research activities, with most efforts focused on improved genetics and variety development. In February, we participated in the Montana State University (MSU) variety release meeting during which the committee voted to release a two-row, dual purpose feed and forage barley developed by the MSU barley breeding team. The variety, named MT Double Barrel, was selected for high forage and grain yield. A new variety of hard red winter wheat assigned the name MT Barrett was also approved for release. MT Barrett is a high yielding, hollow stem line that shows moderate resistance to wheat streak mosaic virus.
MWBC was invited to attend the Montana Seed Growers Association meeting where we gave an update on Committee activities. It takes a group effort for Montana to produce nearly 200,000 million bushels of high-quality wheat annually and seed growers are an important cog in the machine. It was encouraging to learn that acres of winter wheat and durum grown for seed increased in 2024.
MWBC is periodically asked to present market information for grower groups which fits perfectly with our outreach goals. We always jump at the chance to attend MGGA board meetings and learn first-hand what’s new in the world of MGGA. The director updates are particularly valuable and help me get a better handle on farmgate issues, local markets, crop insurance, policy issues, moisture conditions, seeding intentions and winter wheat conditions. A presentation by State Climatologist Kelsey Jensco described how drought condition maps are created. These maps are watched closely by many in the grain industry, including our overseas customers.
The Next Generation Conference, hosted by MSU Extension in Shelby, was an opportunity to meet with area growers to showcase MWBC marketing activities conducted with their checkoff dollars. We also discussed cash wheat markets, supply and demand, export situation, tariffs and more.
Director Engagement
MWBC directors actively participates in industry-related meetings and seminars. Lee Dahlman represented MWBC at National Barley Growers Association meetings in Wahington DC last month. Barley research funding, specifically related to pests and diseases, is an important priority. Lee was part of discussions relating to current barley markets included beer and beverage market trends, Mexico trade issues and alcohol and health guidelines. He kept his barley hat on while attending the US Grains Council (USGC) 22nd International Marketing Conference where he participated in barley sector sessions that focused on industry updates and barley-specific accomplishments for 2024.
LtoR: Mitch Konen, Lee Dahlman, Katelin Standley and Steve Sheffels at the Barley, Brews & Boots event, National Barley Growers Association, in Washington, DC
Other highlighted topics included food barley markets in Japan and Korea as well as malt and malt barley market opportunities in Mexico, China and Southeast Asia. During the USGC meeting, Lee was elected to the Western Hemisphere Advisory Team. This team works closely with regional leads to assess challenges in the trade such as transportation, tariffs and economic trends. Lee will have a forum to offer critical insights that will help USGC develop a robust marketing strategy. Though barley makes up just two percent of the Council’s commodity reach, it’s vital to Montana (the nation’s second largest barley producer).
Director Max Cederburg recently represented Montana at the annual meeting of the Wheat Quality Council in Olathe, KS. Max was part of a diverse group of growers, wheat industry professionals, scientists and students. Max collaborated with peers, learned from quality speakers, and offered insight from the grower perspective. Featured topics included the review of new lines of hard red winter and spring wheat for entry into Council quality testing, status of HB4 gene edited wheat, commercial milling trends, and milling and baking industry updates.
Lee Dahlman, second right, joins members at the US Grains Council winter meetings
Golden Triangle Barley Seminar
Director Cindy McKamey and I enjoyed an informative day at the Golden Triangle Barley Seminar in Conrad. We joined a large group of barley growers and professionals representing the malt barley industry. Hannah Uhlmann, director of the MSU Barley, Malt and Brewing Quality Lab, gave an informative presentation discussing malt specifications and how different varieties are utilized in the brewing industry. Dr. Jamie Sherman, MSU barley breeder, presented an update on new barley varieties being developed. The program is working on a winter forage line and searching for biotic resistance to fusarium head blight and crown rot. Her team is also screening for genes associated with heat tolerance. Earlier releases such as Buzz, Endurance and Boy Howdy were highlighted. Dr. Sherman announced the release of Double Barrel, which is a dual-purpose feed and forage line. Private varieties were discussed as representatives from the malt and brewing industry presented information specific to their varieties.
A talk given by Jim Beusekom (owner of Marketplace Commodities) describing the process to market off-grade malt barley for export to Canada, was another topic important for the attending growers. “Feedlot alley” in the greater Lethbridge area contains more than 150 feedlots with approximately 1.4 million cattle on feed. The area provides 60 percent of Canada’s beef and annually consumes five million metric tons of feed grains. The cattle feeding industry growth accelerated in the late 90s and early 2000s and currently feedlots containing as many as 75,000 head are commonplace. Mild weather, a semi-arid climate and 10,000 irrigated acres are key factors driving this industry’s growth.
Ashley McFarland of the American Malting Barely Association (AMBA) gave an update and discussed the future of barley. She noted that developing more resilient varieties along with the need to fund barley research via grants and industry collaboration are important for the future of the industry. North Dakota acres are quickly shrinking, and barley only represents .8 percent of all crop acres. Barley is grown on eight percent of Montana acres. AMBA is working to be proactive rather than reactive in defining sustainability. The organization highlighted that 80 percent of barley is produced using no-till practices and 78 percent is produced utilizing three or more crop rotations.
Upcoming Activities
Next month MWBC staff and directors will be at the Capitol in Helena for Ag Day, attending meetings of the National Barley Improvement Committee, and visiting the Wheat Marketing Center. We will also be hosting two groups in Portland for “Follow The Grain” – the Wheat Marketing Center export and marketing workshops. MWBC will wrap up March at the MSU campus with the second annual March Madness research review followed by our winter board meeting.
I tend to get spring fever right after Christmas! Winter is going fast now and the days are getting longer. Be safe and I hope to see everyone soon.