Grading Tables for New Wheat Classes Take Effect Aug. 1

The Canadian Grain Commission will adopt primary and export grade determinant tables for the new Canada Northern Hard Red and Canada Western Special Purpose wheat classes on August 1, 2016 as recommended by the Western Standards Committee._x000D_
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At their April meetings, both the western and eastern standards committees recommended adding “poor colour” to the definition for degree of soundness for:_x000D_

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• Oats, No. 4 Canada Eastern

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• Oats, No. 4 Canada Western

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This change takes effect on July 1, 2016 in eastern Canada and on August 1, 2016 in western Canada._x000D_

Quick facts

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• The western and eastern standards committees meet twice a year to recommend specifications for grades of grain, and to select and recommend standard and guide samples to the Canadian Grain Commission. Members represent all stakeholders in the grain industry and include producers, grain processors, grain handlers and exporters.

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• The Western Standards Committee met on April 5 in Winnipeg and the Eastern Standards Committee met on April 6 in Montreal.

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• The Canadian Grain Commission is in its second year of study to determine if mildew standards and guides for western wheat are set at appropriate levels. At this time, testing is not complete. The Canadian Grain Commission will report back to the eastern and western standards committees in the fall.

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• The Canadian Grain Commission is analyzing samples of Canada Western Red Spring and Canada Western Soft White Spring to determine the relationship between the percentage of Fusarium-damaged kernels and the level of deoxynivalenol (DON), a toxin associated with Fusarium head blight and how this relationship is affected by changing growing conditions and chemotypes. This study is part of the Canadian Grain Commission’s ongoing research to ensure food safety and functionality.

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• The Canadian Grain Commission is studying whether a tolerance for ergot should be added to the grade determinant tables for fababeans and chickpeas. Although ergot is a disease of cereal crops, other pulse crops do have a grading tolerance for it. The Canadian Grain Commission will report back to the Western Standards Committee in the fall.

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• On August 1, 2016, these wheat classes will be eliminated: Canada Western Interim Wheat, Canada Western General Purpose and Canada Western Feed. Varieties in the Canada Western Interim Wheat class will move to the Canada Northern Hard Red class and varieties in the Canada Western General Purpose and Canada Western Feed classes will move to the Canada Western Special Purpose class.

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