First Canada Western Red Spring wheat quality data released today

WINNIPEG, Sept. 4, 2012 /CNW/ - Beginning today, preliminary quality data from the 2012 Canada Western Red Spring wheat harvest from 10 crop regions will be released each week and will include protein content from samples received through the Canadian Grain Commission's Harvest Sample Program.

Quality parameters for both wheat and flour will be released for each crop region as soon as sufficient representative samples are received, made into composites and analysed.

The early release of quality data is a major advancement for the Harvest Sample Program since its beginning in 1927 and supports the new open market for Canadian wheat.

Preliminary data will be updated every Monday as samples are received until the 2012 Harvest Sample Program ends. Quality test results on regional composites include analyses of whole grain, flour, and dough parameters for red spring wheat.

Data in previous years represented Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Peace River region in British Columbia.

"We used to start releasing protein content data from the red spring and amber durum harvest in Western Canada in October and released the other quality parameters in November. In response to the open market for wheat, we are making all the preliminary data from each crop region available as early as possible to everyone to use as they wish," says Elwin Hermanson, Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission.

Preliminary quality data from the 2012 Canada Western Amber Durum harvest from 4 crop regions will be available shortly. Quality test results for amber durum will include test weight, hard vitreous kernel percentages, kernel weight, ash content, falling number and wheat pigment content.

The final quality data for red spring and amber durum wheat, as well as for any other Western wheat classes of which there is sufficient material to composite, will be available in the late fall, as in previous years. Final quality reports for other cereal grains, oilseed and pulse crops will continue to be available.

"We invite anyone who is interested in the data to give us feedback on our new approach," Hermanson says.

Released in phases

We will release the data in 3 phases:

1. Protein content only by crop region and grade, based on individual samples received. Data will be updated weekly.
   
   
2. Key functional parameters by crop region and grade, based on regional composites, when sufficient representative samples from each crop region have been received and composites have been made for analysis.
   
   
3. Comprehensive quality analysis by grade with protein segregation (for Canada Western Red Spring wheat, not Canada Western Amber Durum) based on final composites of all regions, as provided in previous years.

Harvest Sample Program

Grain producers participate voluntarily in the program. They submit representative samples of their crops to the Canadian Grain Commission. We composite the samples by crop, class and grade and analyse quality parameters that reflect end-use quality and performance. These data are used by marketers, millers, bakers, brewers and food manufacturers both domestically and internationally.

About the Canadian Grain Commission

The Canadian Grain Commission is the federal agency for establishing and maintaining Canada's grain quality standards. Its programs result in shipments of grain that consistently meet contract specifications for quality, safety and quantity. The Canadian Grain Commission regulates the grain industry to protect producers' rights and ensure the integrity of grain transactions.

Related information

Harvest and export quality reports
Preliminary Canada Western Red Spring quality data
Preliminary Canada Western Amber Durum quality data
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SOURCE: Canadian Grain Commission