Enabling Trade: Council Connects Major Brewer To Idaho Barley Growers

Earlier this month, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), in collaboration with the Idaho Barley Commission (IBC), escorted a team of representatives from one of the largest brewing companies in the world to find new sources of barley for its facilities in Mexico.

USGC Director in Mexico Heidi Bringenberg, USGC Senior Marketing Specialist Javier Chávez and Idaho Barley Commission Executive Director Laura Wilder led the delegation on tours of farms, research centers and storage and transport facilities.

“The Council has worked closely with this brewer to provide sources of barley that benefit its operations and provides new export demand for U.S. farmers,” Bringenberg said. “The group is also interested in further education and research in the industry, offering additional potential opportunities as new varieties and use applications are developed.”

The program began at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA’s ARS) facility in Aberdeen, Idaho for an overview of barley production, growers’ conservation practices and the latest research in barley breeding.

The team then visited IBC Chairman Allen Young’s barley farm, operated jointly with his two sons, as part of the brewing company’s interest in adding further sources of high-quality barley for its beer.

The next day, the group checked in on barley farms that supply the brewer and toured grain elevators to evaluate their capabilities to deliver barley to a nearby malting facility before export.

“The company is committed to quality assurance from planting to malting to delivery, so meeting with stakeholders all along the value chain was vital in fostering trust and a strong business relationship,” Bringenberg said. “The connections made during these visits will help solidify significant growth in export demand for Idaho barley in the coming years.”

Learn more about the Council’s work in barley here.