Grains Week: Bringing Farmers Priorities to Parliament Hill
SaskBarley Joins National Grain Leaders in Ottawa
Key Takeaways
- SaskBarley representatives joined 25 farmers from across Canada during Grains Week in Ottawa (Feb. 23–26) to bring grain farmers’ priorities directly to federal decision-makers.
- Discussions focused on agricultural research investment, protecting trade access, supply chain reliability, and infrastructure that supports grain exports.
- Concerns were raised about Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research facility closures and declining federal research capacity, which could impact barley innovation and productivity.
- Events highlighted how Canadian barley supports industries such as brewing, connecting barley producers to broader supply chains and the national economy.
For producers in Saskatchewan, federal policy decisions made in Ottawa directly affect the success of their farms and the competitiveness of Canada’s grain sector.
That’s why SaskBarley participates in Grain Growers of Canada’s annual Grains Week in Ottawa, where farmer leaders meet face-to-face with federal policymakers to discuss the issues shaping agriculture.
SaskBarley became a member of Grain Growers of Canada in 2025 recognizing that a strategic partnership with a national policy organization was the best way to affect change on priorities important to our producers.
During Grains Week 2026, held February 23–26, twenty five producers from across Canada gathered in Ottawa to participate in more than thirty meetings with Members of Parliament, Senators, and political staff.
For SaskBarley, the goal is simple: ensure that barley producers’ perspectives are represented when decisions affecting research funding, trade policy, and agricultural infrastructure are being made.
Research Capacity Matters for Barley Innovation
One of the most pressing topics discussed during the week was the future of public agricultural research in Canada.
Following the announcement of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research facility closures, producers raised concerns during a roundtable with Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald and Deputy Minister Lawrence Hanson (pictured above).
Federal research programs play a key role in developing new barley varieties, improving disease resistance, and strengthening Canada’s position in global malt and feed markets.
Producers emphasized the need for greater transparency around research staffing reductions and facility closures, noting that changes to federal research capacity could affect long-term innovation across Canada’s grain sector.
Key Policy Issues Affecting Barley Producers
Beyond research, discussions with federal policymakers focused on several priorities that directly influence the barley value chain.
These included:
- Continued investment in agricultural research and development
- Protecting Canada’s grain export markets and trade relationships
- Addressing labour disruptions that threaten supply chains
- Investing in infrastructure that allows Canadian grain to move efficiently to global customers
These policy areas influence everything from market access and price stability to the long-term competitiveness of Canadian barley.
Highlighting the Barley Value Chain at Grains Week Events
Industry partners helped demonstrate how Canadian barley contributes to the broader economy.
Beer Canada partnered with Grain Growers of Canada during the reception. The Canadian beer showcase bridged the connection between grain farmers and Canada’s brewing industry. The goal was to illustrate how barley moves from field to glass.
For barley producers, these connections reinforce the role the crop plays across agriculture, food production, manufacturing, and export markets.
Ensuring Barley Producers’ Voices Are Heard
For Canadian producers, events like Grains Week ensure that the realities of farming are part of national policy conversations.
Federal decisions continue to shape research investment, trade policy, and agricultural infrastructure. Hence, direct engagement with policymakers remains essential to protecting the long-term success of Canada’s barley industry.
📖Watch for an article by Grain Growers of Canada Chair, Scott Hepworth in the Spring 2026 issue of The BarleyBin Magazine – arriving in mailboxes May 2026.
