Barley variety proficiency testing
Variety is an important consideration when barley is selected for malting purposes, and some delivery contracts require a varietal purity of 95%. The Canadian Grain Commission offers a proficiency testing program for laboratories performing DNA-based tests for the identification of barley varieties.
Two types of barley variety proficiency tests are available:
- Barley variety proficiency test – single kernel
- Barley variety proficiency test - bulked ground grain
The single kernel test requires laboratories to identify the variety and the negative control sample. The bulked grind test requires laboratories to identify the predominant variety in a sample and indicate if the sample is above or below the 95% purity threshold. It also requires participants to identify the negative control samples.
Program features
Laboratories can participate in proficiency testing for barley varieties once per year and can use either the single kernel test or the bulked grind test.
Participants will receive:
- triplicates of six or 12 barley DNA samples, depending on the test, and negative control samples, once per year in July
- a notification email when the proficiency test samples are shipped that includes information on the deadline for submitting results
- a confidential and unique laboratory code
- a form for submitting results
- a final report with their results and the results of all other participants (identified only by laboratory code)
Laboratories proficient in single kernel testing in 2026
Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Genotyping - Botany Lab
Contact: Marie-Claude Gagnon
marie-claude.gagnon@inspection.gc.ca
20/20 Seed Labs Inc.
Contact: Kim Kenward
Discovery Seed Labs Ltd.
Contact: Sandy Junek
SGS Canada Inc.
Contact: Michelle Kam
Laboratories proficient in bulked grind testing in 2026
Cargill, Inc.
Contact: Laura Lapointe
Richardson Innovation Centre
Contact: Nicole Webster
20/20 Seed Labs Inc.
Contact: Kim Kenward
Contact us
To enrol in barley variety proficiency testing or if you have questions about the program, please contact our quality management team at labquality-qualitelabos@grainscanada.gc.ca.