Karl Daher

The meeting covered a range of topics including updates from various advisory committees on pulses, barley, oilseeds, and wheat. Discussions involved lentil grading factors, heated corn assessments, canola seed analysis, and wheat kernel characteristics. The committee addressed issues such as small lentils in dockage, contrasting colors in lentils, sprouted canola, and shrunken wheat kernels. The potential for grading alignment and advancements in technology for grain assessment were also discussed. A trade memo regarding darkened kernels in CWAD was recommended.

The meeting included discussions and updates from various advisory committees including Pulses, Barley and Other Cereal Grains, Oilseeds, and Wheat. Key topics included the grading factor for contrasting classes in lentils, heated corn and damage, sprouted canola, shrunken and broken kernels in wheat, and variety requirements in No. 4 grades of eastern wheat. The committee also discussed technology advancements, travel policies, and the potential study of Brazilian versus Canadian soybeans.

The Canadian Grain Commission's 2025-26 Departmental Plan focuses on supporting the resilience and growth of the Canadian grain industry. Priorities include maintaining standards of quality for Canadian grain, investigating new technologies for grain quality assurance, enhancing grain quality and safety monitoring, supporting fairer grain transactions, and ensuring the sustainability of the CGC's funding and service delivery. The plan also involves investing in infrastructure and technology, such as upgrading laboratory spaces and implementing enhancements through the MyCGC portal.

The Western Standards Committee meeting included discussions and recommendations on various topics. The committee addressed changes to the soybean chapter of the Official Grain Grading Guide, focusing on seed coat discolouration. A variety requirement was added to the Standard of Quality for Barley, Canada Western Food. The committee also reviewed and recommended standards for green peas, replacing existing samples with standard prints. Additionally, there were discussions on decimal precision for various grains and oilseeds, heated canola, sprouted brown mustard, and broken and small canola. The committee also discussed hard vitreous kernel in wheat and sprouted tolerance in Canada Eastern Soft Red Winter wheat.

The meeting included discussions and updates on various topics, including grain standards review, advisory committee updates, grain grading modernization, and reports from the Pulses, Barley and Other Cereal Grains, Oilseeds, and Wheat Advisory Committees. Key topics included sprouted tolerance in wheat, variety identification for malt barley, proposed regulatory amendments related to moisture shrinkage and inspection requirements, and the terms of committee members. The committee also addressed concerns about eastern representation on advisory committees and the need for changes to the Canada Grain Act.