Australia's CBH Group Adds Grain Quality Testing Machines
To combat recent harvest weather disruptions
In the face of recent harvest weather disruptions CBH Group is working hard to protect grower value with the roll out of more than 100 Falling Number grain quality testing machines to receival sites in the most affected areas.
Grain Operations Manager David Capper said CBH estimated the equipment had already delivered close to $25 million of increased value for wheat crops.
Despite the patience required to undertake the 10 minute test, it is the only mechanism that allows potential Feed wheat to be upgraded to higher value milling grades.
"Under the official Grains Industry of Western Australia Wheat Receival Standards and the Grain Trade Australia standards used in Eastern Australia any load in which sprouted grain is detected is classified as feed grade unless a Falling Number result is available to override the sprouted grain result," Mr Capper said.
"So far this harvest, CBH has tested at least 11,000 individual loads with an estimated value uplift at this stage close to $25 million.
"Our Falling Number machines are here to create value for our growers. Our aim is to not have to downgrade any load to feed based on visual sprouted alone."
"Fortunately, this year many growers were well into their wheat programs when the damage became evident, unlike last year when our Falling Number units were in use with less than 10% of the crop delivered."
CBH Quality Manager Mathew Regan said sprouted grains contained damaged starch and protein components resulting in poor quality end products.
"Sprouted wheat can result in end products with reduced mixing strength, sticky dough and reduced shelf life," he said.
"The Falling Number test enables the best possible classification for growers' wheat deliveries while maintaining WA's reputation to supply quality wheat to international customers."
