SaskWheat and APAS are calling on the Canadian Grain Commission to reverse its decision.

SaskWheat Chair Brett Halstead says their concerned about the impact this will have on farmers in smaller areas.

"If you have a small area and you have 60.1 bushels to the acre Spring Wheat which was the tolerance before, and now the new export standard is 63.3. There may not be blending opportunities within that area."

They note that test weight is of particular concern. 

The groups point out that with the primary standard tightened to export standard, CWRS wheat that previously would have graded a number one could be downgraded to as low as feed if test weight is the determining grade factor. The current separate primary and export standards recognize that blending and cleaning throughout the grain handling system naturally and economically improve grain quality for grain handling companies. Producers do not have the same ability to improve the test weight of their grain.

Halstead says that grain companies have the ability to clean and blend from all over Western Canada and that's what they've successfully done without any downgrading to producers. 

He adds the move from 60.1 pounds per bushel to 63.3 pounds per bushel is going to be a significant change. Especially like I said before in those isolated areas where you might not have the ability to blend."

APAS President Ian Boxall agrees noting that higher grading standards for test weight and foreign material increase the risk that producers will receive lower grades for their production. 

"This could negatively affect farm revenue for years to come. The CGC’s mandate is to work in the interest of grain producers, and Saskatchewan farmers are left wondering how these changes could proceed without completing the economic analysis that producers have asked for."

Boxall noted that APAS recently completed its summer district meetings, where producers across the province shared the opinion that these changes should be reversed and only reconsidered after an economic analysis and clear policy rationale are presented. 

SaskWheat and APAS are calling on the Canadian Grain Commission to reverse its decision on test weight standards.

The new test weight and total foreign material changes are set to come into effect on August 1.

To hear Glenda-Lee's conversation with SaskWheat Chair Brett Halstead click on the link below.