Grain grading changes coming for the 2022-2023 crop year

Updates are coming to the Canadian Grain Commission’s Official Grain Grading Guide this crop year, following consultation with sector stakeholders through the Western Standards Committee and Eastern Standards Committee.

“The Canadian Grain Commission is working with stakeholders to implement evidence-based solutions that maximize returns for producers and help grow the Canadian grain industry,” Doug Chorney, Chief Commissioner.

These are the highlights of some of the upcoming changes.

Mildew standards for eastern and western red wheats

Current mildew standard samples for Canada Eastern Red Spring (CERS), Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS),and Canada Western Red Winter (CWRW) wheats are being replaced. Updated standard samples for No. 1 and No. 2 CERS wheat will be effective July 1, 2022 in eastern Canada and No. 1 and No. 2 CWRS wheat will be effective August 1, 2022 in western Canada. The mildew standard for Wheat, No. 3 CERS, Wheat, No. 3 CWRS, and Wheat, No. 3 CWRW will no longer be used as a grading factor for those grades.

The standard samples are being updated after the Canadian Grain Commission conducted extensive research over multiple years, which found that mildew had minimal impact on flour yield and refinement, dough properties, and baking quality. However, mildew remains a grading factor for other grades as it can provide additional quality protection to accompany sprout tolerances.

Splits tolerance for No. 2 Canada Green Peas

The splits tolerance in No. 2 Canada Green Peas will be changed from 1% to 3% effective August 1, 2022 across Canada. This change is in response to the Canadian agriculture sector advising the Canadian Grain Commission that the 3% splits tolerance better reflects how the sector is handling and exporting No. 2 Canada Green Peas.