Archived - Eastern Standards Committee recommends grading changes for 2009-10

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Winnipeg, May 15, 2009 – At its meeting on April 22, 2009, the Eastern Standards Committee recommended grading changes for July 1, 2009. These changes are in line with delivery and marketing practices used by producers and the industry in Eastern Canada.

The recommendations include:

  • Revising the Oat grade schedule of the Official Grain Grading Guide (OGGG) to read under the Hulled and Hulless column “No limit – If sample contain 75% or more of hulless oats, hulless becomes part of the grade name.”
  • Moving from K values to percentage values for the tolerances of ergot and sclerotinia in triticale
  • Moving from K values to percentage values for the tolerances of ergot and stones in hulless barley

The revised grade schedule for oats will reflect the industry’s handling and marketing practices. During discussions, the Eastern Standards Committee learned that that most contracts for hulless oats are for 75% or more hulless oats and that to achieve the current level of 95% or more, significant processing would be required. The word “oats” replaces “varieties” because it is the percentage of hulled oats of any variety (covered or hulless) in the sample that is being measured to determine if the term “hulless” should be attached to the grade name.

Changing K values to percentage values for tolerances of ergot and sclerotinia in triticale and of ergot and stones in hulless barley is consistent with the move away from K values and towards percentage values.

Standard samples

The Eastern Standards Committee recommended that the 2008 Mildew Guide for the grade Wheat, No. 2 Canada Eastern Red (Winter) be adjusted to reflect more mildew. The recommendation was based on studies of the impact of mildew on the end-use quality of eastern red winter wheat conducted by the Grain Research Laboratory of the Canadian Grain Commission. New mildew guide samples will be prepared and distributed for implementation July 1, 2009 (subject to availability of suitable material). Standard and guide samples provide a visual definition of “degree of soundness” in the standard of quality for each grain. Standard and guide samples previously adopted for grades and grains will continue to be used.

Moisture charts

A new moisture chart will be released July 1, 2009 for Hulless oats.

A revised moisture chart will be released July 1, 2009 for Soft White Spring wheat. The new chart has values that are approximately 0.2% lower than those on the existing chart.

Grading studies and projects

The Eastern Standards Committee also received updates on grading studies and projects. The Eastern Standards Committee recommended that the Canadian Grain Commission study or continue to work on the following projects:

  • Use near-infrared reflectance (NIR) technology to assess chlorophyll in canola
  • Study the relationship of fusarium-damaged kernels to the level of deoxynivalenol (DON) found in those kernels for all classes of eastern wheat
  • Study the impact of merging the primary and export specifications for wheat
  • Use Rapid Visco Analysis (RVA) technology to rapidly assess damage that is caused by sprouting in wheat
  • Study the impact of brown seed in canola on the end-use quality
  • Determine if there is toxicity in soybeans affected by purple mottling
  • Study the impact of mildew on end-use functionality for all classes of eastern wheat

The Eastern Standards Committee meets twice a year to recommend specifications for grades of grain, and to select and recommend standard and guide samples to the Canadian Grain Commission.

The Canadian Grain Commission is the federal agency responsible for establishing and maintaining Canada’s grain quality standards. Its programs result in shipments of grain that consistently meet contract specifications for quality, safety and quantity. The Canadian Grain Commission regulates the grain industry to protect producers’ rights and ensure the integrity of grain transactions.

Contact

Norm Woodbeck
Acting, Chief Grain Inspector of Canada
Canadian Grain Commission
Telephone: (204) 983-4412
Email: norm.woodbeck@grainscanada.gc.ca