By Alice McFarlane

New market potential for Alberta barley variety

Apr 28, 2025 | 4:44 PM

It may not be on the local coffee shop menu yet, but barley tea is a popular staple in many Asian nations.

It’s also an opportunity for Canadian growers, and another reason to consider a newer Alberta-made variety called AB Standswell.

The bushy semi-dwarf six-row barley was developed by the Western Crop Initiative at Lacombe, Alta. and is marketed by Mastin Seeds of Sundre. Last year was the first season it was readily available on the market.

As a seed grower and farmer in a livestock producing region, Bob Mastin likes to focus on early maturing and forage varieties.

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

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But Mastin is most excited about Standswell’s potential for the barley tea market. The drink is made from roasted barley, and proponents claim numerous health benefits, ranging from weight loss to digestive relief. It’s considered a staple, both hot and cold, in homes in China, Japan and Korea, offering both a high fiber content and a nutty, mild taste.

Mastin said a major Japanese company has reached out to Canada in search of a barley variety alternative for making the tea.

“Currently, they’re using Legacy barley,” he said. “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.”

Mastin has already sent the prospective buyers a small sample of Standswell barley for testing and gotten favorable feedback. He followed by sending a tote with a tonne of Standswell barley to Japan for further testing.

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

Reports from growers who have already used Standswell are pleased with the high yields. The variety has generated attention for both 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.

In addition to all these traits, Standswell also has a slightly higher nutrient content, along with higher digestibility, making it ideal for a dairy ration. Japanese tea traders are looking at it for barley tea.

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

To secure a contract for barley tea needs in Asia, it will be important to ensure adequate supply. Mastin is looking for seed growers and farmers interested in growing Standswell barley this spring.

“It could become a great market for Canadian barley producers,” Mastin added.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com