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By rdnewsNOW Staff

NEW STRAIN OF BARLEY

Central Alberta seed company calling for growers amidst international barley interest

Mar 11, 2025 | 12:39 PM

A Lacombe company responsible for an innovative strain of barley is seeing interest in their product coming from as far away as Japan.

Barley tea is a popular staple in nations such as China, Japan and Korea, and an Alberta-made variety called AB Standswell is sowing interest overseas.

This bushy, semi-dwarf six-row barley was developed by the Western Crop Initiative in Lacombe and is marketed by Mastin Seeds of Sundre. The first season the crop was available for market was 2024.

“Standswell is good for both grain and forage,” says Bob Mastin, of Mastin Seeds. “Plus it’s drought tolerant, nitrogen-efficient and lives up to its name by standing strong and less prone to lodging.”

More excitingly, Standswell has great potential for the barley tea market; users claim barley tea has numerous health benefits, ranging from weight loss to digestive relief. It is said to have high fiber content and a nutty, mild taste than can be enjoyed hot or cold.

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Mastin says a Japanese company has reached out to Canada in search of a barley variety alternative for making this tea.

“Currently, they’re using Legacy barley,” he explains, “but that’s an older variety, and so buyers are hoping to find a new six-row that could replace it and give growers higher yields.”

A sample of Standswell barley was sent to the potential buyers for testing, Mastin says, adding that he received favourable feedback and responded by sending an additional tonne of the barley along for further testing.

“If that goes well, they will be back looking for more than 3,000 tonnes in the fall,” he says. “The market for Standswell may grow substantially very quickly, so it’s a great opportunity for farmers willing to try the variety.”

Mastin reports, feedback from growers using Standswell barley has been positive about its high yields, as well as its nitrogen and water use efficiencies; on average, Standswell uses nine per cent less nitrogen than the average barley. It also has a “plumper seed, to go with its smooth awn, which makes it ideal for swath grazing, greenfeed, or silage,” he adds.

In addition to these traits, Standswell reportedly has a slightly higher nutrient content and better digestibility.

“A Saskatchewan seed grower who planted it last year told me it was his highest yielding crop,” says Mastin.

He believes that in order to secure a contract to supply the barley tea demand in Asia, it will be important to ensure adequate supply, therefore, he is searching for seed growers and farmers interested in growing Standswell barley this spring.

For more information, contact Bob Mastin by calling 403-556-2609 or emailing info@mastinseeds.com.