Wheat Growers Offer Cautious Support to Grain Grading Changes

Jul 28, 2023

Today the Wheat Growers reviewed the updated Grain Grading Guide under the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC). The new standards will come into effect August 1, 2023. The updated standards are founded on science-based outcomes regarding sprouting, test-weight and foreign material tolerances.

President Gunter Jochum stated, “While supportive of many of the changes, using the stringent export tolerances for test weights and total foreign matter at elevator driveways will be an area the Wheat Growers are watching.”

It is unclear how aligning primary elevator standards with export standards will benefit Canadian farmers. It would be appropriate for the CGC to share any economic impact studies these changes will have on producers.

We fully support the new definition of sprouted wheat and the clarification of screen size for grading canola. These changes are crucial in addressing grading inconsistencies at primary elevators. As Wheat Growers, we have long advocated for modifications that prioritize science-based testing over visual inspection. It’s a significant step towards fair and accurate grading practices.

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Video: Our Own On-Farm Research Is the Best Source - Managing White Mold in Northeast Nebraska

If you assumed Nebraska was too hot and dry for white mold to be a problem in soybeans, think again.

This week we're featuring Galen Samuelson, a farmer and dealer from Wakefield, Nebraska, who knows all too well how devastating white mold can be.

"We don't have it consistently every year, but with our temperature and humidity, it can hurt us quite bad," Samuelson says. Looking for alternatives, he explains, "What I like about Heads Up is that it's non-harmful to the beneficial fungal colonies in the soil." Galen has been using Heads Up for several years now, after first hearing about it through a small ad in a regional newspaper. Watch below to hear about his journey.

When asked to write about Samuelson Seed, Galen said the following:

"Samuelson Seed is a 4th-generation, family-based company. It started with my grandfather, and I'm now starting to pass the torch to my son, Caleb."

"In the early 1990s, I started working with a company whose focus was on plant and soil health before those benefits were widely known. I've continued to keep plant and soil health the main focus in our farming operation decisions."