Washington grain elevators say they’re finding success blending wheat to make sure it meets the industry standard for the falling numbers test.
HighLine Grain Growers is blending some carryover crop from 2017 to achieve the industry standard falling number score of 300, CEO Paul Katovich told the Capital Press.
The falling number test measures starch damage caused by rapid changes in temperature or rain during critical stages of wheat development.
According to the report, the test involves mixing water and wheat together and measuring how long a plunger takes to “fall” through it. A test score of 300 seconds is the industry standard.
Damon Filan, manager of Tri-Cities Grain in Pasco, WA, told the Capital Press he believes the industry is more prepared this year and able to better segregate wheat in areas where low scores occurred.
