The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) has released its first wheat quality data of the crop year, with more data on protein levels and other quality attributes to be released on a weekly basis until November.
While only a few regions were reporting results, the early data was pointing to lower-than-average protein levels.
The CGC breaks Western Canada into 10 regions, and the first sample data only includes protein readings for No. 1 Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat from four of the 10 regions (southwestern Manitoba, northeastern Saskatchewan, southern Alberta, northern Alberta).
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As the harvest in southern Alberta presses on, a broker said that is one of the factors pulling feed prices lower in the region. Darcy Haley, vice-president of Ag Value Brokers in Lethbridge, added that lower cattle numbers in feedlots, plentiful amounts of grass for cattle to graze and a lacklustre export market also weighed on feed prices.
The early samples showed the highest average protein levels in southwestern Manitoba, at 13.2 per cent, with the lowest in northern Alberta, at 12.4 per cent. Average protein levels were reported at 12.5 per cent in northeastern Saskatchewan, and 12.7 per cent in southern Alberta.
Those levels were behind the year-ago and 10-year averages in all four regions. However, adjustments are likely in further reports as more samples are submitted.
Canadian grain producers participate voluntarily in the harvest quality program. They submit representative samples of their crops to the CGC, which then combines samples by crop, class and grade.
The commission analyzes the quality parameters that reflect end-use quality and performance, with the data then used by marketers, millers, bakers, brewers and food manufacturers both domestically and internationally. — Commodity News Service Canada
