Winter barley trials at Cribit Seeds in West Montrose, Ont. 2025. Photo: Cribit Seeds

Winter cereals beyond wheat gaining traction

Interest is rising in alternative winter cereals like barley and hybrid rye as profitable rotation options

Winter cereals such other than wheat, such as barley, could provide better yield and rotation options for Ontario growers.



Fall rye flowering in south-central Manitoba. (Allan Dawson photo)

Fall rye’s popularity catching on Prairies

CNS Canada — It’s good and bad news when it comes to winter cereal acreage in Western Canada. Winter wheat acres in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are down this fall, while acreage in Alberta increased, and fall rye acres in all provinces rose. “I think a lot of the guys that were growing winter wheat have […] Read more


(Konoplytska/iStock/Getty Images)

Winter Cereals Manitoba now in on amalgamation plan

A possible union between four Manitoba commodity grower groups has a new fifth player on deck. Winter Cereals Manitoba Inc. (WCMI) announced Thursday its chair, Doug Martin, and director Allan Olinyk will join a steering committee made up of directors and staff from the Manitoba Corn Growers Association (MCGA), Manitoba Flax Growers Association (MFGA), National […] Read more

(FIle photo by Allan Dawson)

Prairie winter wheat conditions uncertain

CNS Canada — While it’s too early to assess how the western Canada winter wheat crop fared this winter, there is some uncertainty due to unseasonably cold April temperatures. “We start losing cold tolerance, especially in March and going into April now. And that’s when you need to monitor temperatures or for (the crop) to […] Read more

(FIle photo by Allan Dawson)

Outlook improves for Prairies’ winter cereals

CNS Canada — Following concerns in September about seeding winter cereals in dry conditions, acres are down but crops seeded in Western Canada are doing good heading into the winter. “Very little moisture is required in the fall to get that seed to germinate and start growing, especially if it’s been seeded shallow,” said Amanda […] Read more


Mixed conditions loom over Manitoba winter cereals

CNS Canada — A mix of freezing and warming conditions put Manitoba’s winter cereals in uncertain condition, following months of promising weather, according to the head of an industry group. Manitoba’s winter wheat and fall rye crops had ample snow cover throughout the winter, which supported crops, but more recently, conditions turned slushy, then froze […] Read more

A rye cover crop. (Stephen Ausmus photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Favourable conditions boost Manitoba winter cereals

CNS Canada –– Favourable weather throughout spring and winter has allowed Manitoba’s winter cereals to flourish, according to the head of an industry group. “People are bragging about their fall rye,” said Jake Davidson, executive director at Winter Cereals Manitoba. “Wheat is also excellent.” A relatively warm spring with few cold snaps and a mild […] Read more