Group says modernizing grading system will help improve profitability for farmers
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com
The Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) is asking the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) to modernize Canada’s grading system to be in sync with other international markets.
AWC believes a universally accepted grain measuring system can help improve profitability for wheat farmers.
“We have observed an evolution in the way wheat is marketed to Canada’s customers,” Kevin Auch, Alberta Wheat Commission chair, said in a release. “International buyers aren’t looking purely at CGC grades anymore – they’re looking at universal quality specs. Modernizing our grading system is a necessary move to ensure Alberta’s farmers receive the maximum value for the quality of wheat they produce.”
Because Canadian farmers don’t sell directly to international customers, they rely on systems that ensure wheat quality meets customer needs.
AWC recommends Falling Number tests for sprout damage and Deoxynivalenol testing for wheat quality testing should be part of a revised system. Using these tests could limit the times wheat is downgraded to feed after visual tests.
“This crop year has resulted in variable quality for farmers in Alberta and across the Prairies. We want to ensure that our grading system is not severely downgrading wheat that is considered good quality milling wheat in international markets,” Auch said in the release.
Farms.com has reached out to the Canadian Grain Commission for comment.