Demand-Led Variety Development at the Olds College Malting Barley Breeding Program
Breeding malting barley is a complex process as we need to ensure that the requirements of producers, the malting and brewing industry, export markets and final consumers are met. Producers demand varieties with strong agronomic qualities such as high and stable yields, lodging and disease resistance, and that are able to get the premium malting price. On the other hand, industry is looking for varieties that will produce the special malt characteristics that will fit the demand of the brewed and distilled final products. Dr. Flavio Capettini, lead scientist for the malting barley program, will discuss the ongoing progress at this innovative program, showing how new breeding approaches and technologies are producing varieties with enhanced traits demanded by the whole value chain.
CEU Credits: 0.5
Bio: Dr. Flavio Capettini, FCDC Olds College
Dr. Flavio Capettini is a Two-row Barley Breeder focusing on malting barley at the Field Crop Development Centre at Olds College. Flavio specializes in creating enhanced barley varieties for farmers, the industry and final consumers. Many of those varieties will have novel traits that add value to the crop. Flavio has been breeding cereals since 1988, while collaborating with colleagues worldwide, Flavio has promoted barley with the release of a wide portfolio of superior cultivars, releasing over 68 varieties in 12 countries, and developing superior germplasm that’s been shared with over 75 countries.
Before joining FCDC in 2013, Flavio led the Global Barley Enhancement Program of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in Syria, and the Latin American Regional Program carried out jointly between ICARDA and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). Flavio was previously an adjunct professor at North Dakota State University, and Head of Barley Breeding at the National Agricultural Research Institute of Uruguay (INIA). He earned his PhD and MSc from the University of Minnesota and his BSc from the University of the Republic of Uruguay.