ARCHIVED - Western Standards Committee recommendations from October 30, 2007

Standard samples

The Western Standards Committee (WSC) recommended the following new standard samples for the 2007-08 crop year:

• Wheat, No. 1 Canada Western Red Spring
• Wheat, No. 2 Canada Western Red Spring
• Wheat, No. 3 Canada Western Red Spring
• Wheat, No. 1 Canada Western Amber Durum
• Soybeans, No. 1 Canada Yellow
• Peas, No. 1 Canada (Yellow)
• Pea Beans (Good natural colour)
• Pea Beans (Reasonably good colour)
• Pea Beans (Fairly good colour)

The WSC recommended the following guide for the 2007-08 crop year:

• Wheat, No. 1 Canada Western Red Winter (Mildew)

Standard samples previously adopted for other grades and grains will continue to be used.

Grading studies and projects

Chlorophyll assessment using near infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy

The Canadian Grain Commission is continuing its work on using NIR technology to assess chlorophyll in canola. The study is evaluating the DICKEY-john Instalab ® 600, an NIR instrument. Chlorophyll assessment would replace the current practice of crushing seeds and assessing distinctly green.

Falling number as a grading factor for western Canadian wheat

The Canadian Grain Commission reported to the WSC that it has put 15 rapid visco-analyzers in its inspection offices across the country to measure falling number in wheat samples and to determine variability of results for wheat deliveries at primary elevators and at unload at the ports.

The Canadian Grain Commission was not able to provide results from the 2007 harvest because sprout damage has not been a significant problem this year, resulting in few samples of sprout-damaged wheat for the study.

A working group was formed in November 2005 to investigate 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 advised the committee that it’s unlikely that falling number values would be in place on August 1, 2008.

Purchasing grain on a dry matter basis

On the recommendation of the 4 sub-committees, the WSC decided that purchasing grain on a dry matter basis was a commercial issue, not a grading issue. The WSC made no recommendations related to the issue. The sub-committees discussed the issue following a recommendation by the WSC in October 2006.

Western malting barley standards

The WSC recommended that the Barley and Other Cereals Sub-committee proceed with a concept to replace the current malting barley grade schedule with a single grade schedule that would be called Select Malt Barley. The Canadian Grain Commission will present a new grade schedule to the WSC in April 2008. The grade schedule would be introduced on August 1, 2008.

In October 2006, the WSC asked the sub-committee to review grade schedules and procedures for malting barley because the current schedules are not relevant to the industry’s marketing practices. The sub-committee’s concept provides for

• Grade definitions according to Canada Grain Act Regulations
• Producers’ rights to Subject to inspector’s grade and dockage
• Third-party analysis of specifications as defined by the Canadian Grain Commission

Main grading factors in the 2007 harvest

Canadian Grain Commission inspection specialists identified main grading factors in 2007 by grading samples from the Canadian Grain Commission’s Harvest Survey. Factors considered prevalent are those that appear most often in samples graded No. 2, 3 or lower. Other grading factors may also be involved when samples are degraded.

These highlights are based on grading results on Harvest Survey samples as of October 26, 2007.

Wheat

Canada Western Red Spring and Canada Western Hard White Spring wheat

• Midge damage
• Frost/heat stress and green

Canada Western Amber Durum wheat

• Hard vitreous kernels
• Low test weight
• Severe midge damage

Vitreousness is the natural translucent colouring of the wheat kernel and is an indicator of kernel hardness. It is a grading factor for Canada Western Red Spring and Canada Western Amber Durum wheat.

Barley and oats

Canada Western Barley

• Staining
• Low test weight

Staining makes barley undesirable for malt selection.

Canada Western Oats

• Mildew
• Low test weight

Mildew and low test weight affect quantity and quality of groats.

Oilseeds

Canola, No. 1 Canada

• Chlorophyll content is slightly lower than 2006 values.
• Oil content is lower than 2006 values.
• Protein levels are higher than 2006 values.

Mustard classes

• Good quality
• Smaller seed size
• Flaxseed Canada Western
• Almost all samples graded No. 1.

Pulse crops

Beans, Canada

• Smaller seed size

Lentils, Canada Red

• Bleaching

Lentils, Canada Green

• Good colour
• Some staining

Peas, Canada Green

• Bleaching
• Smaller seed size

Bleaching in peas is an undesirable quality because it affects uniform colour. Bleaching occurs when one-eighth or more of the surface of the cotyledon is bleached to a distinct yellowish colour which is in marked contrast to its natural colour. Uniform colour in green peas is important to buyers.

Peas, Canada (Yellow)

• Staining
• Immaturity

New test weight conversion chart for hulless barley for 2008-09 crop year

• The Canadian Grain Commission has developed a new regression formula specifically for hulless barley.
• The current equation for hulled barley remains in use.
• The conversion of grams per half-litre to kilograms per hectolitre will produce lower values for hulless barley.
• Example:
  • Current chart: 360grams/0.5 litre (g/0.5 l) converts to 75.0 kg/hl.
  • On August 1, 2008: 360g/0.5 l will convert to 73.5 kg/hl.

Reports

The Canadian Grain Commission informed WSC members that at the committee’s meeting next spring, it will bring forward specifications for Canada General Purpose wheat for recommendation by the WSC. The class will be introduced on July 1, 2008 in eastern Canada and on August 1, 2008 in western Canada. Norm Woodbeck, manager, Quality Assurance Standards and Reinspection, provided the committee a draft grade schedule for the new class. The Canadian Grain Commission is consulting with the industry on the development of specifications for this class. He also explained how the removal of kernel visual distinguishability, a variety identification tool and registration requirement for western Canadian wheat, will affect the wheat grading system.