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Australian demand for barley to double by 2020
Australia
July 15, 2005

A predicted dramatic increase in demand for barley over the next 15 years has prompted The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and several other major research organisations to establish a national barley breeding program (see related news release).

Demand for export malt and barley grain is expected to increase by 60 per cent between now and 2020, while demand for barley feed grain is expected to double in the same period.

To satisfy this increased demand, it’s estimated that Australia’s 6.6 million tonne barley industry will have to more than double production.

This would involve increasing average yields from two tonnes per hectare to 2.6 tonnes per hectare and expansion of the growing area for the grain from 3.3 million hectares to more than 5 million hectares.

To help achieve this, GRDC and the other organisations involved have recommended the development of a nationally coordinated breeding program for the grain to be named Barley Breeding Australia (BBA).

Foundation BBA participants include: WA Department of Agriculture, SA Research and Development Institute, NSW and Victorian Departments of Primary Industries, Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and the University of Adelaide.

BBA will establish close links with industry, including growers, Barley Australia, maltsters and the newly established Livestock Feed Grain Users Group.

Says GRDC Managing Director, Mr Peter Reading: "To maximise positive outcomes, BBA will embrace a whole of industry approach, taking strategic direction from Australia’s multi-billion dollar barley industry, which had a farm-gate value of $1.5 billion in 2004/05 and a total value chain worth substantially more.

"BBA will co-ordinate the development and release of new varieties, ensuring appropriate protocols, in consultation with Barley Australia," Mr Reading says.

The BBA Management Committee will ensure intellectual property issues do not impede operations, giving breeders full license and freedom to access germplasm, markers and software. It will also establish benchmarks and key performance indicators to monitor the program’s performance.

"By the end of July, the Committee will be discussing plans for BBA with grower bodies and industry, including grain exporters, domestic and export maltsters, brewers and feed grain users. The results of this consultation will be critical in finalising barley breeding arrangements going forward," Mr Reading said.

Breeding programs will retain linkages with education, training and teaching programs.

Innovate Australia news item

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