Grain producers: an important change for your wheat deliveries

Be ready to declare the class of your wheat

What changed on August 1, 2008?

• A declaration system, as part of a quality management system for western Canadian wheat was introduced.
• When you deliver wheat, you will have to sign the Declaration of eligibility for the class form. By signing the form, you are attesting that the wheat you are delivering is eligible for a specific class of western Canadian wheat.
• A ninth wheat class has been introduced – Canada Western General Purpose – with disease resistance and agronomic criteria.

Why introduce declarations?

On February 11, 2008, kernel visual distinguishability (KVD) was removed as a registration requirement for all western Canadian wheat classes.

This means varieties put forward for registration can look like each other and the existing wheat classes, but they will still have to meet all other registration requirements for quality, disease resistance and agronomics.

How will these changes affect you?

They will affect how you select your seed, your after-harvest storage practices and grain delivery.

But first, what are classes and varieties?

There are 9 western Canadian wheat classes. Varieties are developed by plant breeders for each class.

What’s the concern about eligible varieties?

The Canadian Grain Commission has variety designation lists for Canadian wheat. The lists include all the western Canadian wheat classes and all the varieties that are eligible for each class. The grain industry uses the lists to keep ineligible varieties from undermining the quality of grain shipments and possibly causing problems for end users.

The primary elevator operator will grade your wheat delivery according to your declaration to class.

Know your seed

Only varieties on the variety designation lists are eligible to be graded as one of the eight classes of milling wheat. If you grow a variety that is not listed on the variety designation lists or if you do not declare that it is eligible for a specific class for which you are requesting payment, when you deliver it will only be eligible for the Canada feed class or the lowest grade of amber durum.

The best way to know the variety of your wheat at delivery is to know your seed before planting, by doing one or both of the following:

• Have your old or common seed tested at a private lab before seeding
• Purchase certified seed.

Maintain careful records of your harvest

For most producers this simply means continuing good operating practices. For others, it means establishing tighter quality management controls.

• Before storing grain, bins should be empty and clean.
• Put only one class of wheat in each bin.
• Maintain careful records to keep track of the wheat in each bin.
• If you are not sure of the wheat class in a bin, have the wheat tested at a private lab before selling it.

If you have someone hauling grain for you:

• Provide clear instructions to the transporter about which bins to load from.
• Be present at the time of loading to direct the person hauling your grain.

Declare your wheat at delivery

On August 1, 2008, the Canadian grain industry introduced a declaration system for western Canadian wheat.

Annually, at every elevator where you deliver wheat, you will be required to complete the Declaration of eligibility for the class form confirming that the wheat you will deliver is eligible for a specific western Canadian wheat class. Be ready to verbally declare the class of wheat you are delivering for each load.

If you have someone hauling grain for you, you are responsible for ensuring that:

• You have signed a declaration form at that elevator prior to delivery; and
• The transporter is able to identify the class at the time of delivery.

The same process applies to producer cars. You are responsible for signing the form and sending it to the administrator of your producer car.

The elevator receiving your wheat will keep samples for random testing and monitoring.

We all have a part to play

Canada’s assurance of grain quality will not change with the new declaration system for western Canadian wheat. As partners in the grain sector, we are all committed to working together - producers, grain handlers, marketers and government.

Contact

Randy Dennis
Chief Grain Inspector
Telephone: (204) 983-2780
Email: randy.dennis@grainscanada.gc.ca