Effective August 1, 2023, the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is set to implement essential revisions to its Official Grain Grading Guide. The changes, resulting from comprehensive consultation with sector stakeholders via the Western Standards Committee and Eastern Standards Committee, aim to better serve the agricultural sector in Canada and international grain buyers.
Among the most significant updates is changing the “severely sprouted” definition for western wheat classes. Research exploring the impacts on end-use quality prompted this revision. It was discovered that sprouted wheat with a partially broken-off sprout displayed similar end-use qualities as regular sprouted wheat, which led to this portion being removed from the “severely sprouted” grading factor definition.
As part of CGC’s grain grading modernization initiative, the primary and export tolerances for test weight and total foreign material are being standardized across most western wheat classes where discrepancies exist. This alignment will apply to the following classes of wheat for all grades:
– Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS)
– Canada Western Hard White Spring (CWHWS)
– Canada Western Extra Strong (CWES)
– Canada Western Soft White Spring (CWSWS)
– Canada Northern Hard Red (CNHR)
The total foreign material primary and export tolerances for Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD) will also be synchronized to the export tolerances for all grades.
Additional changes to the Official Grain Grading Guide include revisions to definitions, such as the dockage process in the canola chapter and the term “processed sample” in all chapters. These adjustments come as a response to concerns raised by producers regarding inconsistencies in the process employed at delivery and issues with samples submitted to CGC, where dockage was already removed. Adjustments have also been made to the composition of dockage in chapters on lentils, beans, chickpeas, fava beans, and canary seeds, including insect parts and the percentage of hulled seeds.
Doug Chorney, Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission, expressed his satisfaction with the updates. “The Canadian Grain Commission is pleased to implement these science-based updates to our Official Grain Grading Guide following extensive discussions with the sector,” he stated. “These changes support the modernization of our grading system and will help grow the Canadian grain sector and maintain Canada’s reputation for high-quality grain.”
The CGC, mandated under the Canada Grain Act, establishes and maintains Canada’s grain grading system. The commission has been running a grain grading modernization project since 2017, highlighting its commitment to improving its grading system.
A primary tolerance, usually set lower than an export tolerance, is applied when the grain is delivered directly to a primary grain elevator in Canada. On the other hand, an export tolerance, ensuring milling quality expectations are met for end-users, is used when the grain is shipped overseas through a terminal grain elevator.
Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash
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