43 / 52
BY NATALIE NOBLE
if we don’t take the steps to work toward
something, it will never be accomplished,”
he said.
Auch added that the current grading
system has been serviceable, but AWC
feels there is always room for improve-
ment when it comes to keeping Canada
competitive. “Any time we can get an ana-
lytical, objective measurement to replace a
visual, subjective type of grading, it’s good
for everyone, including farmers,” he said.
Auch added that AWC was encouraged
last year when the CGC made changes
to the acceptable downgrading levels for
mildew in wheat samples. “We want the
final users of our wheat to have a quality
product and to get the best possible
outcomes from using Canadian wheat,”
he said. “If there isn’t a good reason to
downgrade based on mildew, if it has
no e ect on the final product, we don’t
believe in downgrading our price back to
the farmer either.
“We’re happy the CGC recognizes this
and that they made the changes necessary.
We applaud them for considering these
types of things so that we are not dis-
counted for them when they don’t a ect
the final product.”
Still, Auch said AWC aims to ensure
that when these types of changes are
made, they go far enough.
Foster agreed, adding that she believes
downgrading standards could be relaxed
even further. “In regard to acceptable mil-
dew levels, we’re just trying to align with
the standards that are implemented in the
United States,” she said. “I think they’ve
always been considered the leaders and so
we’ve followed suit to drop from eight to
six per cent acceptable levels in regard to
mildew. This change is more about stand-
ardization than anything else.”
Recommendations made at the most
recent meeting of the Eastern Stand-
ards Committee and Western Standards
Committee in November led the CGC to
announce its intent to move from subjec-
tive visual indicators to more objective
analytical testing and grading factors as a
new strategic direction.
Rémi Gosselin, manager of corporate
information services at the CGC, said the
CGC is currently working to establish a
team within the organization’s industry
services and grain research laboratory
divisions to advance the initiative.
“This team will be heavily engaged and
will work collaboratively with industry
producer groups on the path forward,” he
said. “This initiative involves a significant
change in our current grading system and
contains many facets and details. It will
take significant time to implement. The
benefits and costs to all sectors need to be
considered.”
He added that any changes to the grad-
ing system need to be supported by solid
science and by both standards commit-
tees, as well as all industry stakeholders.
“We certainly do want to move in this
direction, but it will take time.”
Auch agreed with Gosselin’s insistence
that any changes be backed by science,
adding that the reputation of Canadian
wheat is paramount. “We sell a great
product. Our wheat is second to none in
the world and we want to make sure it re-
mains competitive,” he said. “At the same
time, if we are discounting our farmers
without good reason, we want to make
sure that stops as well.”
DETECTING DAMAGE:
A Falling Number test evaluates the amount of sprout damage in a
wheat sample to determine whether it is suitable for milling.
Spring
2017
grainswest.com43