Western Standards Committee recommendations from April 11, 2007

At its meeting on April 11, 2007, the Western Standards Committee (WSC) recommended the following grading changes to come into effect on August 1, 2007.

Wheat

Hard vitreous kernels (HVK) will be eliminated as a grading factor for No. 2 Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) and No. 1 Canada Western Red Winter (CWRW).

Testing by Canadian Grain Commission researchers found that HVK has no significant impact on end use quality of CWRS and CWRW. However, the WSC agreed to retain HVK as a grading factor for No. 1 CWRS since some customers for western Canadian wheat are concerned about the removal of HVK.

Canada Western Hard White Spring wheat will be considered a "wheat of other class" rather than a "contrasting class" of wheat for grading purposes in CWRS. The WSC made this decision because CWHWS mixed in with CWRS will have minimal impact on CWRS end-use quality. As well, United States grading standards are similar for hard white spring wheat in hard red spring wheat.

CWRS - Wheats of other classes or varieties

	Contrasting classes %	Total %
No. 1 CWRS	0.75	2.3
No. 2 CWRS	2.3	4.5
No. 3 CWRS	3.8	7.5
No. 4 CWRS	3.8	7.5

Commercially clean specifications for broken grain in export shipments for all classes of western wheat will be permanently set as per changes made in July 2005. The changes in 2005 resulted from an increase in broken grain, within the grain handling system, following a dry year in 2004. The increased breakage made it difficult for grain handlers to meet guidelines for grain cleanliness

The specifications effective August 1, 2007 are:

• Primary elevator - 0.3%
• Terminal elevator - 0.35%
• Transfer elevator - 0.5%

The differences in tolerance levels reflect the higher risk of breakage as grain moves through the handling system.

Barley and other cereals, oilseeds, pulses

The Canadian Grain Commission is issuing new moisture conversion tables for the following grains, effective July 1, 2007:

• Pinto beans - conversion table #2
• Black beans - conversion table #2
• Oriental mustard seed - conversion table #10
• Yellow mustard seed - conversion table #9
• Brown mustard seed - conversion table #11

Grading studies and projects

The WSC recommended continuation and adoption of the following studies and projects. Reports and recommendations from the studies will be presented to the WSC at its fall 2007 meeting.

Falling number as a grading factor for western Canadian wheat

A working group formed in November 2005 is investigating the risks and benefits of introducing falling number measurements in the Canadian wheat grading system. Falling number values would replace tolerances for sprouted and severely sprouted kernels.

The Canadian Grain Commission's on-site assessment of rapid viscose analysis (RVA) technology at primary and terminal elevators is progressing. RVA equipment will be placed in more Canadian Grain Commission offices in elevators across the country. The lack of available sprouted wheat samples from the 2006-07 crop presented difficulties in verifying the RVA equipment's calibrations for measuring falling number.

The WSC agreed that the group should continue its work.

Chlorophyll assessment using near infra-red technology (NIR)

The Canadian Grain Commission will continue its work on utilizing NIR technology to assess chlorophyll in canola. Chlorophyll assessment would replace the current practice of crushing seeds and assessing distinctly green.

Study of ruptured kernels in all wheat classes

The Canadian Grain Commission will continue to study the effects of ruptured kernels on the milling quality of all wheat classes. Due to the excellent quality of the 2006 wheat crop, samples containing ruptured kernels were unobtainable.

Western malting barley standards

The Barley and Other Cereals Sub-Committee is reviewing the grade schedules and procedures for malt barley. A working group is being formed and will report back to the sub-committee.

Harmonization of Canadian and American grain grades

Canadian Grain Commission inspection staff met with their counterparts in the United States Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) to discuss components of the grading systems in both countries. Various industry groups have expressed interest in harmonizing the grading systems where appropriate. Further discussions with the Americans will involve research scientists from both countries.

Purchasing grain on a dry matter basis

The issue of grain being purchased on a dry matter basis was referred to the sub-committees for review and discussion. Recommendations will be presented at the fall 2007 meeting.