CDC Falcon, Manitoba’s most popular winter wheat, remains a milling wheat in the Canada Western Red Winter wheat (CWRW) class until at least Aug. 1, 2013 — and possibly longer.
Todd Hyra, SeCan’s business manager for Western Canada, says some farmers are confused about future changes to the CWRW class.
CDC Falcon is still a “select” variety within the CWRW class. However, the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) has announced CDC Falcon, along with CDC Kestrel, CDC Clair, CDC Harrier and CDC Raptor, will move to the Canada Western General Purpose (CWGP) class Aug. 1, 2013.
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At that time all winter wheats in the CWRW class will have to meet milling wheat standards. There’s one caveat, though: CDC Falcon will remain in the CWRW class until a suitable replacement is found.
Both SeCan and Canterra Seeds say they have replacements coming, but adequate supplies won’t be available until probably 2014.
The CGC says restoring the CWRW class for milling winter wheats only will improve Canadian competitiveness in the winter wheat milling market.
Several years ago the quality standards for the CWRW class were reduced to encourage more winter wheat production. A “select” category within the class was established to segregate higher-quality milling winter wheat.
Since then the CWGP class has been established to serve the livestock feed and ethanol markets. The grain industry has agreed winter wheats that meet agronomic and disease standards, but lack milling quality, be considered for the CWGP class.
It’s assumed generally CWRW milling winter wheats will earn more per bushel than CWGP wheats. However, some of the difference could be offset by higher yields for the wheats in the CWGP class.
— Allan Dawson reports for the Manitoba Co-operator at Miami, Man.
