CGC plans to reclassify several wheat varieties
The Canadian Grain Commission is modernizing the wheat class system to protect Canada’s reputation for producing consistent, reliable quality wheat.
The plan to modernize the wheat class system was developed in response to concerns from customers of Canada’s wheat that gluten strength in the Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) class is not meeting customer expectations. Gluten strength is an important factor in bread baking because it helps dough rise and maintain its shape as it is baked. As well, there were some concerns about American varieties being grown in Canada and how they would fit into the current wheat class system.
What will modernizing mean for producers? The system will allow producers to grow varieties that meet new market opportunities. By addressing customer concerns, it will also maintain their confidence in the Canada Western Red Spring and Canada Prairie Spring Red classes, and, as a result, protect important markets for your wheat. As a whole, the system will be more flexible and balance your needs with the needs of customers.
From February to April 2015, the Canadian Grain Commission held consultations on our proposal to modernize the wheat class system. Our proposal included creating new classes and evaluating and moving varieties to other classes. After receiving feedback from these consultations, further discussions were held with stakeholders over the summer to improve our plan.
Based on these discussions, we altered our initial timeline to ensure that producers are given enough time to prepare for these changes. A key change in the timeline means that 29 varieties in the Canada Western Red Spring and Canada Prairie Spring Red classes will move to another class on August 1, 2018 instead of 2017.
Plan for modernizing
As of August 1, 2016:
Two new wheat classes will come into effect: Canada Northern Hard Red and Canada Western Special Purpose.
Three wheat classes will be eliminated: Canada Western Interim Wheat, Canada Western General Purpose, and Canada Western Feed.
August 1, 2016 variety designations
Canada Western Interim Wheat varieties move to Canada Northern Hard Red class
Faller
Prosper
Elgin ND
Canada Western General Purpose varieties move to Canada Western Special Purpose class
AAC Proclaim
AAC Innova
AAC NRG097
Accipiter
Broadview
CDC Clair
CDC Falcon
CDC Harrier
CDC Kestrel
CDC NRG003
CDC Primepurple
CDC Ptarmigan
CDC Raptor
Minnedosa
NRG010
Pasteur
Peregrine
Pintail
SY087
Sunrise
Swainson
WFT 603
August 1, 2018 variety designations
Canada Western Red Spring varieties move to another class
AC Abbey
AC Cora
AC Eatonia
AC Majestic
AC Michael
AC Minto
Alvena
Alikat
CDC Makwa
CDC Osler
Columbus
Conway
Harvest
Kane
Katepwa
Leader
Lillian
McKenzie
Neepawa
Park
Pasqua
Pembina
Thatcher
Unity
5603HR
Canada Prairie Spring Red varieties move to another class
AC Formost
AC Taber
Conquer
Oslo
More information
For more information on wheat class modernization, visit the Canadian Grain Commission’s web site: https://www.grainscanada.gc.ca/en/about-us/consultations/wheat-class-modernization.html