Farmers Participate In Combine To Customer Program

Farmers from across western Canada were in Winnipeg this week to learn more about how their grain makes it to the end customer.

One of the participants in the Combine to Customer program was Kevin Peters, who farms near Randolph, Manitoba.

"It's interesting to see how our grain ends up," he said. "We all have an idea in our minds what our grain gets made into, but to see it first hand and the processes along the way that make it a world class wheat."

The two and a half day session was held at the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) in downtown Winnipeg.

A total of 82 participants took part in the three sessions that were held this year, two in February and the latest one held this week.

Topics included presentations on the quality of Canadian wheat classes, wheat research, wheat breeding and the varietal development system, railway transportation, and a grain market outlook.

A key part of the program was the technical demonstrations held in Cigi’s technology facilities (analytical services, milling, baking, pasta and Asian products) where growers learn about customer requirements and how wheat quality affects flour and end-product quality.

Participants also attend a grain inspection and grading demonstration at the Canadian Grain Comission (CGC) and an overview and tour of the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre.

An open discussion session was held with representatives from Cigi, CGC and Cereals Canada to talk about and ask questions related to customer feedback and concerns.