Grainswest - Fall 2026

Fall 2026 Grains West 8 THE FARMGATE FARMERS STRUGGLED WITH multiple issues in their durum last year. This was apparent in the Harvest Sample Program submissions graded by the Ca- nadian Grain Commission (CGC). Only 22 per cent of farmers received a No. 1 grade. Another 22 per cent scored No. 2 and 39 per cent hit No. 3. Severe issues caused by midge damage, darkened kernels and mildew were the primary reasons many farmers experienced down- grades. Overall, the report labels the 2025 crop year as “good” despite these factors. The top five varieties were CDC Defy, Tran- scend, AAC Stronghold, CDC Precision and AAC Grainland. Of all the severe midge-damaged CWAD samples, those graded No. 2 were at 44.5 per cent and mildew showed up in 31.9 per cent of No. 2 samples. The CGC’s Kris Wonitowy said the two top grades usually account for at least half the total Canadian crop. While 2025 was an outlier, he is hopeful 2026 results will be better. “We can be improving this year,” said Wonitowy, CGC’s pro- gram manager for national inspections standards. He added that time, rain, heat and harvest conditions will dictate the quality. When it came to DON levels, 89.5 per cent of the 873 samples were under 1.0 ppm. Protein levels remained high at 14.7 per cent and kernels were more uniform. As well, TKW was eight and 11 per cent higher on No. 1 and No. 2 from 2024 to 2025. Wonitowy said this report brought about multiple positives. The darkened kernels initially identified were not as detrimental to quality as first thought, and their appearance helped to usher in changes to grading guidelines. Before changes last fall, darkened kernels were downgraded due to severe midge. Research conducted last fall showed the CWAD crop hadn’t suffered as much as first thought. “That confirmed that the end-use quality impacts of darkened ker- nels are really not as detrimental to the durum semolina quality as severe midge damage kernels,” said Wonitowy. The issue was then raised at the West- ern Standards Committee meeting in No- vember 2025. A new process was issued for the grading of darkened kernels. As a result of this change to the grain grading guide, the CGC will now assess darkened kernels as smudge. It will have a much smaller tolerance than severe midge, and the penetrated smudge tolerances will increase. “[Farmers are] going to be allowed a little bit more leeway in terms of grading factors; smudge, penetrated smudge, darkened kernel or severely darkened kernel, and still be able to maintain that quality and get a higher grade,” said Wonitowy. FARMER POV Dave Bishop farms at Barons and is Region 5 director for Alberta Grains. His main CWAD issue has been wheat stem sawfly. He made the management decision to switch to solid stem varieties several years ago and hasn’t looked back since. “It’s been pretty steady the last few years,” he said. “We haven’t been able to grow anything other than solid stem.” He said concerns with midge have been minimal to non-existent at his farm, CWADconcerns Grading changes and new resources address issues identified in 2025 Though not as detrimental to 2025 crop quality as expected, the occurrence of darkened kernels spurred changes to grading guidelines for CWAD.