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Printable Version
Printable Version


Harvest Quality

Crop Quality Data, Highlights, and Reports

Export Quality Data and Reports

Methods and Tests


Information for:

Producers

Marketers, Buyers, and Processors

Harvest Quality

How composite samples are made

Step 1: Sending in a sample of your grain

Producers fill the Harvest Sample envelope.

The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) carries out the Harvest Survey in all growing areas on the Prairies. Producers fill up Harvest Sample envelopes with representative samples of their new crop and send the envelopes to the CGC in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Step 2: Sorting, cleaning and grading samples

The CGC receives and sorts Harvest Sample envelopes.

Harvest Sample envelopes arrive at the CGC. CGC grain inspectors sort harvest samples by crop kind or wheat class, clean them to remove dockage, and grade them.

Step 3: Recording grading results

Samples are tested for protein content, one of the grading results entered in the database.

The CGC’s Harvest Sample database keeps track of each sample, who sent it, and what the grading results are. Each Harvest Sample envelope has its own bar-code. The bar-code is scanned into this database, along with the grading results and an identification number for the producer.

At the same time, the CGC’s Grain Research Laboratory performs quality tests on each sample. Using near infrared (NIR) instruments, staff analyze the following and enter the results in the database:

Step 4: Preparing composite samples

1. The GRL combines harvest samples to make composite samples.

In the CGC’s Grain Research Laboratory (GRL) harvest samples lose their individual identity. Samples of the same kind, grade, or wheat class and protein content, or provincial origin are blended to make large composite samples for a complete quality testing program.

2. The GRL tests composite samples of wheat and flour for protein content by combustion nitrogen analysis.

Every composite sample of wheat and flour is tested for protein content by combustion nitrogen analysis, the reference method used to calibrate NIR instruments. Composite samples, at different percentages for protein content, are tested for their end-use quality. Wheat quality data from the tests appear on the CGCs web site according to the percentage of protein content. The reference method is used to confirm this percentage.

Step 5: Testing end-use processing quality

Slices of bread baked in the GRL?s test ovens are scored for colour and crumb structure.

The GRL performs many kinds of tests for end-use quality on composite samples. Analytical tests on grain explains the types of tests on wheat, oilseeds and pulse crops.

Last step: Delivering the results

A visitor discussing grain quality with a CGC employee.

The CGC shares the results of quality testing of the new crop of Canadian grains with customers around the world on our web site and in market support visits to major customer countries.

 

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Last updated: 2005-09-30

Important Notices