Western Standards Committee recommendations from April 20, 2006

At its meeting on April 10, 2006, the Western Standards Committee (WSC) recommended the following grading changes to come into effect on August 1, 2006, the start of the new crop year. All changes are subject to the regulatory amendment process.

Wheat, No. 5 Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD)

• Change the export tolerance for total small and large seeds and wild oats for No. 5 CWAD from 1.0 to 0.5 percent.
• The proposed tolerance will be equivalent to the tolerance for feed wheat.
• Introduce the following primary and export tolerances for test weight for No. 5 CWAD:
  • Primary tolerance: 65 kilograms per hectolitre (318 grams per half-litre)
  • Export tolerance: 73 kilograms per hectolitre (357 grams per half-litre)

Test weight is the measure of grain density determined by weighing a known volume of grain. Primary and export tolerances for test weight are applied to all other grades of western Canadian wheat.

There are two reasons for introducing test weight tolerances for No. 5 CWAD wheat:

1. In the 2004-2005 crop year, a significant amount of light weight durum wheat was delivered into the handling system. There was no test weight specification for No. 5 CWAD in place.
2. The introduction of a test weight tolerance for No. 5 CWAD wheat will make the grade consistent with other classes and grades of wheat.

Barley, Canada Western Malting (CW)

• Remove the following varieties from the variety designation lists for two-row and six-row malting barley:
  • Two-row: CDC Goodale and CDC Thompson
  • Six-row: Argyle, Bonanza, CDC Yorkton, Duel, Stander, and Tankard

The Canadian Grain Commission designates the varieties eligible for each grain class. Barley varieties not listed on the malt barley variety designation list but which are selected for malting purposes are only eligible for the grade Barley, Sample CW Account Variety. Barley varieties not listed on the malt barley variety designation lists and which are not selected for malting purposes, are only eligible for General Purpose grades.

Lentils, Canada Red (CAN)

• Reduce the maximum allowable moisture content from 14.0 percent to 13.0 percent.
  • Current moisture content specifications range from 14.1 to 17.0 percent for tough, and over 17.0 percent for damp. The WSC recommended the change to protect Canada's market for red lentils. When lentils are processed, the higher the moisture content, the more difficult it is to peel off the seed coat.

Pulse crops – beans, chick peas, fababeans, lentils, peas

• Introduce a new reference moisture procedure for all pulse crops:
  • Pea Beans, Canada (CAN)
  • Beans, Canada Cranberry, Blackeye, or Yelloweye (CAN)
  • Beans, other than Canada Cranberry, Blackeye, Yelloweye or Pea Beans (CAN)
  • Chick Peas, Canada Western Kabuli (CW)
  • Chick Peas, Canada Western Desi (CW)
  • Fababeans, Canada (CAN)
  • Lentils, Canada (CAN)
  • Lentils, Canada, other than Red (CAN)
  • Peas, Canada Green (CAN)
  • Peas, Canada, other than Green (CAN)

The change in the reference procedure is applicable to all pulse crops. It will not have a noticeable effect on moisture readings for peas, chick peas, pea beans or lentils. It will, however, result in higher moisture readings for coloured beans, with the change in moisture content ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 percent, depending on the class of bean being tested. The Canadian Grain Commission will issue new moisture conversion tables for the affected bean classes as sufficient information becomes available.

Soybeans, Canada (CAN)

Remove seed size as a grading factor

Uniformity of seed size is currently included in the definition for degree of soundness. The WSC recommended the change because seed size is more of a market specification that varies by customer. The Canadian Grain Commission will provide an analysis of seed size at the request of marketers.

Change the description of green in the definition of immature

According to the current definition, immature damaged soybeans are characterized by a green exterior appearance in conjunction with any green discolouration of the cotyledon. Examination of the cotyledons is determined by cutting the soybeans into cross sections. For grading purposes, immature damaged soybeans are considered as part of the total damage grade specification.

According to the proposed description, the sample will not be regarded as damaged if the green is restricted to the outer edge of the seed. If green penetrates into the cotyledon, the sample will be regarded as damaged.

Widen the tolerance for downy mildew for Soybeans, No. 1 Canada Yellow from 1.0 percent to 2.0 percent

Downy mildew is a superficial coating of downy or powdery fungal growth. An individual soybean is considered affected only if the fungal growth covers 50 percent or more of the surface area of the soybean. The WSC decided that the change would not negatively affect the end-use quality or marketability of soybeans and that it would benefit grain producers.

Oilseeds

The WSC made no recommendations on grading specifications for oilseed crops.

Changes proposed for August 1, 2007

Hard vitreous kernels as a grading factor for Wheat, Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS)

The WSC recommended eliminating hard vitreous kernels (HVK) as a grading factor in CWRS wheat or relaxing the tolerances, effective August 1, 2007. The date was chosen to allow time for discussions between marketers and their customers. All changes are subject to the regulatory amendment process.

The decision considers the concerns of various industry players who will inform and consult with their stakeholders, including customers. Canadian Grain Commission research conducted on samples of CWRS and Canada Western Hard White Spring (CWHWS) wheat showed that the percentage of HVK does not negatively impact milling quality. Samples used in the study were taken from two crop years.

The Canadian Grain Commission will also conduct research on HVK and its link to the milling quality of Canada Western Red Winter wheat. The Canadian Grain Commission will present its research results at the spring 2007 meeting of the WSC. The WSC will make decisions on removing HVK as a grading factor for those two classes at that meeting.

HVK is one of many grading factors applied to CWRS and CWRW wheat. It is not a grading factor for CWHWS wheat. The following are the current primary and export tolerances:

Grade name	Minimum hard vitreous kernels, %
No. 1 CWRS	65
No. 2 CWRS	35
No. 3 and 4 CWRS and CW Feed	No minimum
No. 1 CWRW	50
No. 2 CWRW and CW Feed	No minimum

Grading studies and projects

The WSC recommended the following studies and projects. Reports and recommendations from the studies will be presented to the WSC at its meeting in November 2006.

Falling number as a grading factor for western Canadian wheat

A working group formed in November 2005 will continue to develop an operational plan aimed at introducing falling number measurements in the Canadian wheat grading system as of August 1, 2007. As of that date, falling number values would replace tolerances for sprouted and severely sprouted kernels. The working group will establish falling number values, by grade, for all western Canadian wheat classes. It will also carry out a cost-benefit analysis on the introduction of falling number values.

Between now and August 1, 2007, sprout damage will continue to be applied as a grading factor to both domestic and export shipments. The Canadian Grain Commission will carry out further research on rapid viscosity analysis technology in the operational environment.

Studies on grades of Wheat, Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD)

The Canadian Grain Commission will carry out studies over the next year on export tolerances for wild oats in CWAD wheat to determine if the current tolerances are applicable. Specifications for wild oats are included in the tolerances for total foreign material.

The following are the current export tolerances for wild oats:

Grade name	Wild oats, %
No. 1 CWAD	0.10
No. 2, 3, 4, and 5 CWAD	0.15

The Canadian Grain Commission will investigate if there is data available to reassess current primary tolerances for red smudge in CWAD wheat. Smudge is a discolouration on the kernel caused by infection from common field fungi. The discolouration may be brown, black or red.

The following are the current primary tolerances for red smudge:

Grade name	Red smudge
No. 1 CWAD	30 kernel-sized pieces in 500 g
No. 2 and 3 CWAD	1%
No. 4 and 5 CWAD	No limit

Total foreign material in western Canadian wheat

The WSC's Wheat Subcommittee will examine the question of primary and export tolerances for total foreign material in all grades of western Canadian wheat classes. The subcommittee will determine if the primary tolerances can be made equivalent or closer to export tolerances. Foreign material is material other than grain of the same class that remains in the sample after the removal of dockage.

Pre-germination in western Canadian malt barley

The WSC recommended that the Canadian Grain Commission continue its research on rapid viscosity analysis technology and its use in determining pre-germination in malt barley.

Seed staining in western Canadian red lentils

The WSC recommended that the Canadian Grain Commission study the effects of seed staining and wrinkling on the processing quality of red lentils.

Standard samples

The WSC recommended the following standard samples to take effect on August 1, 2006.

• Soybean, No. 1 Canada Yellow
• Wheat, No. 1, 2, and 3 Canada Western Hard White Spring