Scoular is partnering with Idaho farmers to expand the production of barley as an economically viable and sustainable rotation crop.
Scoular on Wednesday announced the formal launch of Barley MVP™, a first-of-its-kind program that provides a variety of risk management tools and high-yielding seed varieties for farmers seeking alternative rotation crops. The program is launching in time for the fall planting season.
While Idaho is the top-producing barley state, only a small percentage of the barley grown in Idaho finds its way into the fast-growing feed, food, and processing sectors. By participating in Barley MVP, farmers can help to meet this demand by incorporating barley into their crop rotation.
Additionally, barley is more sustainable than some traditional rotation crops in Idaho, such as corn or wheat, because it requires less water and fertilizer to grow.
“Barley MVP is a win for local farmers and a win for the state of Idaho,” says Andy Hohwieler, Scoular Trade Unit Manger. “Farmers can have confidence knowing that Scoular will connect them to new markets worldwide for their barley and that they are planting a sustainable, drought-tolerant crop.”
Hohwieler says in 2021, local farmers recognized the benefit of growing barley, converting more than 12,000 acres to barley production for those growing sectors. he adds the demand could exceed 50,000 acres of production in the next five years.
“The Idaho Barley Commission applauds Scoular on this exciting new program and their efforts in developing new barley markets,” says Laura Wilder, the commission’s executive director. “Through Barley MVP, Idaho growers will benefit through expanded barley marketing opportunities, as well as access to excellent grower tools.”
Scoular, headquartered in Omaha, NE, operates a trading team in Twin Falls, Idaho, and a feed blending facility in nearby Jerome, along with grain elevators in southeast and eastern Idaho. Farmers interested in Barley MVP should go to Scoular.com/barleymvp or call the Twin Falls office at (208) 324-0147.
A 128-year-old company with $6 billion in sales, Scoular creates safe and reliable supply chain solutions for end-users and suppliers of grain, feed ingredients, and food ingredients.