Know your crop quality

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development

The first step to marketing a crop is knowing its quality. And, in many parts of the province, this is more important this year than ever.

“Due to the snow that blanketed a large portion of the province grain quality may be different than first expected,” says Jennifer Stoby, market analyst, ag inputs, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Edmonton. “As well with lower grain prices, finding the right markets for your crop may be difficult. Looking past just getting the crop off the field and onto how and where you will be selling your crop is an important next step. But the first step is knowing what quality you have in the bin.”

Stoby says there are several options for determining grain quality.

“You can have your grain graded by your local grain company or from a neutral grain grading source such as the Canadian Grain Commissions harvest sample program,” says Stoby. “This is a voluntary program that the Canadian Grain Commission provides for free.”

The harvest sample program will provide those who submit samples with an unofficial grade and quality result that includes:

protein content on cereal grains and pulses
oil, protein content and iodine value for flaxseed
oil, protein and cholorphyll content for canola
oil and protein for mustard seed and soybeans“Samples will be accepted up until November but it is encouraged to send the samples in as soon as harvest is complete,” says Stoby.

To find out how to submit a sample to the Canadian Grain Commission, go to here.