The North Dakota State University Institute of Barley and Malt Sciences board of directors has approved the creation of a barley production specialist position. The position will be based at the NDSU Williston Research Extension Center and Montana State's Eastern Agricultural Research Center at Sidney.

The position will be supervised by Richard Horsley, NDSU barley breeder. The main focus will be on barley production research and best management practices. The goal is to have the position filled by January.

Also approved at the meeting was the formation of a regional outreach committee to enhance communication efforts among barley production stakeholders. The committee will consist of representatives from barley producers, industry, Extension and university research. Karen Hertsgaard, IBMS information specialist, and Scott Heisel, American Malting Barley Association, will coordinate the committee.

More than 20 individuals from Idaho, Montana and North Dakota have expressed willingness to serve on the committee. A leadership group of nine individuals (three from each state) will be formed to direct the activities of the larger committee. Outreach committee efforts also will help outreach efforts by the USDA-Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service funded Barley Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP) on barley genomics. A key element for the Barley CAP is the dissemination of research efforts to all stakeholder groups, particularly students and Extension education personnel.

Members of the IBMS board include Jim Broten, North Dakota Barley Council; Alain Caekaert, Archer Daniels Midland Co.; Mike Davis, American Malting Barley Association; Doug Eden, Cargill Malt; Don Fast, Montana Wheat and Barley Committee; Jim Hettinger, Molson Coors Brewing Co.; Clark Kaufman, Idaho Barley Commission; and Steve Malin, Anheuser Busch Inc.

NDSU Agriculture Communication