Breeding of Feed Grains for Western Canada

The production of livestock in western Canada is moving from a small farm system to a highly mechanized, intensive system of production with animals having superior genetics. With this change, the feed demand by the industry has been moving from using the cheapest feed available to the best quality available. Defining that quality has been a challenge. Different classes of livestock have different feed demands. As well, adoption of production practices to maintain sustainability has meant a shift from maximization of inputs/outputs to integrated crop management and optimization of resource use. Through development of tools to enhance selection, and maintenance and development of diverse germplasm, breeding of the feed grains barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and triticale (X Triticosecale Witt.) has been an evolving effort throughout western Canada. In this review, we present the changes and challenges of feed grain breeding with focus on the breeding program at the Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC), Lacombe, AB.