Eastern Grain Standards Committee recommendations from April 13, 2007

At its meeting on April 13, 2007, the Eastern Standards Committee (ESC) recommended the following grading changes to come into effect on July 1, 2007.

Wheat

Mildew will be eliminated as a grading factor for No. 3 Canada Eastern Soft Red Winter wheat (CESRW) and No. 3 Canada Eastern Hard Red Winter wheat.

This decision follows a report on the results of an eastern mildew study carried out by the Canadian Grain Commission's Grain Research Laboratory (GRL). Researchers found a change in colour between flour milled from No. 2 and No. 3 CESRW samples, but no real difference in colour between flour milled from No.3 and feed grade CESRW samples.

The mildew study will continue, with GRL researchers testing Canada Eastern Hard Red Spring and Canada Eastern White Winter wheat samples, as time, samples and priorities permit.

The Canada Food Inspection Agency is holding a 30-day consultation period for industry input on a recommendation to the federal Agriculture Minister that kernel visual distinguishability be removed as a criteria for registration for Canada Eastern White Winter wheat.

Pulse and oilseed crops

Effective July 1, 2006, a new reference moisture procedure for all pulse crops was introduced by the GRL. The pulse crops include pea beans, all classes of beans, chick peas, fababeans, lentils and peas.

The Canadian Grain Commission is issuing new moisture conversion tables for the following grains, effective July 1, 2007:

• Pinto beans - conversion table #2
• Black beans - conversion table #2
• Oriental mustard seed - conversion table #10
• Yellow mustard seed - conversion table #9
• Brown mustard seed - conversion table #11

Corn

Approval has been given to use the Model 1200A moisture meter for testing of corn samples. A new high moisture test weight conversion chart for corn will be available by July 1, 2007 to use with the Model 1200A moisture meter. Model 919 3.5 moisture meters will continue to be used by Canadian Grain Commission inspectors and moisture conversion tables and test weight conversion chart for this model are available.

Guide sample

The ESC recommended the following mildew guide sample for the 2007-08 crop year effective on July 1, 2007.

• Wheat, No. 2 Canada Eastern Red (Winter)

Grading studies and projects

The ESC recommended continuation and adoption of the following studies and projects. Reports and recommendations from the studies will be presented to the ESC at its fall 2007 meeting.

Eastern Fusarium/DON study

The ESC members supported the continuation of a study by the GRL to evaluate the relationship between the percentage of fusarium-damaged kernels and values for deoxynivalenol (DON), a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium graminearum.

For 2006, samples of all eastern wheat classes were collected from Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. Testing showed that all wheat classes except Canada Eastern Red Spring wheat from Quebec showed higher DON levels in relation to fusarium levels compared to samples from 2005. The members agreed that fusarium tolerance levels should not be changed at this time. Samples will be collected from the 2007 eastern wheat crop and tested.

Falling number as a grading factor for eastern Canadian wheat

A working group formed in November 2005 is investigating the risks and benefits of introducing falling number measurements in the Canadian wheat grading system for western and eastern Canadian wheat. Falling number values would replace tolerances for sprouted and severely sprouted kernels.

The Canadian Grain Commission's on-site assessment of rapid viscose analysis (RVA) technology at primary and terminal elevators in western Canada is progressing. RVA equipment was placed in the Canadian Grain Commission's Chatham regional office, and additional equipment will be tested in more Canadian Grain Commission offices in elevators across the country this year. The lack of available sprouted wheat samples from the 2006-07 crop presented difficulties in verifying the RVA equipment's calibrations for measuring falling number.

The group will continue its work.