The CDC’s Wet Chemistry and Quality Research teams support all major breeding programs—barley, oat, flax, pulse, wheat, durum, and specialty crops—by evaluating tens of thousands of breeding lines each year.

Using advanced chemical and spectral analyses, researchers assess nutritional and functional traits that determine a crop’s performance from field to end use. Tools such as the Rapid Visco Analyzer, spectrophotometers, and NIR/NIT spectrophotometers help predict starch, protein, fibre, and oil quality early in the breeding process.

This work ensures new varieties meet the needs of processors, consumers, and export markets - improving both nutritional value and functional performance.

The Wheat and Durum Quality Laboratory evaluates early and advanced breeding lines for key traits such as protein content, gluten strength, pigment, milling quality, and baking or pasta performance. With specialized equipment—from NIR analyzers to experimental mills and pasta extruders - the lab provides comprehensive data that helps breeders select lines with superior end-use quality for variety registration.

The CDC’s Malting Laboratory evaluates thousands of barley lines each year for malt quality using automated micromalters and advanced analytical tools. Traits such as extract yield, enzyme activity, and beta-glucan levels are assessed through both direct analysis and NIR screening. This research drives the development of new barley varieties that meet the standards of Canada’s malting and brewing industries.

High-quality analysis begins with high-quality sample preparation. CDC facilities include specialized grinders and mills to process grain samples for chemical and functional testing. Dedicated milling equipment allows precise evaluation of flour, semolina, and other end-use products, supporting every stage of breeding.