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: Understanding Nitrogen Loss Through Denitrification

Denitrification is one of the three main pathways for nitrogen loss, but what is it really, and how much nitrogen do we stand to lose?

In this episode, Lyle Cowell is joined by Dr. Erin Daly from the University of Guelph to break down denitrification and the conditions that drive nitrogen loss in the soil. They explore how nitrogen can be lost as nitrous oxide and nitrogen gas, what conditions drive losses and when they are most likely to occur.

Erin also shares how CanN2ONet, a national research network, is helping us better understand nitrous oxide emissions across Canada. From field towers that measure emissions to research into regionally tailored best management practices, discover how the network is working to help growers improve nitrogen use efficiency and help reduce nitrogen losses across the country.