AMBA broadens scope of Quality Evaluation Program to allow barley entries from private seed companies
The American Malting Barley Association (AMBA), a trade organization representing end users of malting barley, has long managed the Quality Evaluation Program (QEP), which provides a rigorous vetting process for new malting barley lines, typically developed by public barley breeding programs. This evaluation analyzes both grain and malt quality and suitability for current industry needs. Approximately 30 lines are reviewed annually by the QEP Subcommittee with recommendations forwarded and reviewed by the AMBA Technical Committee. Participation in this program provides visibility to a new barley line, which could ultimately be proposed and adopted on AMBA’s annual Recommended Variety List. In pursuit of identifying and supporting new barley varieties that can meet industry needs, the organization has broadened the scope of the QEP by allowing entries from private seed companies. For the 2026 crop season, AMBA will pilot this expansion and accept a limited number of outside entries into the program. Capacity and logistical constraints will be monitored so that its primary purpose, supporting commercialization of barley varieties from public breeding programs, can be maintained. If a seed company has interest in entering a line into the QEP, they must first become an Affiliate Member of the association, and then work with the technical director to submit information for the entries along with the associated fees. Five regional nurseries exist that lines can be entered into: Western, Midwest, and California for spring types and Western and Eastern for winter types. Additional participation details can be found on the AMBA website.
.png)
.png)
