This year’s crazy mix of seeding, growing and harvesting conditions has resulted in a low-protein red spring wheat crop.
The average protein level for No. 1 Canada Western red spring wheat in the 2010 crop is 13.2 percent, according to figures released by the Canadian Grain Commission Oct. 29.
When lower grades are included, the red spring wheat crop as a whole also averaged 13.2 percent.
“Historically that’s a low number,” said Bruce Burnett, director of market analysis for the Canadian Wheat Board.
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However, the protein number is almost identical to last year, when No. 1 CWRS and the red spring wheat crop as a whole also averaged 13.2 percent protein.
But, it’s lower than the two previous years, when all wheat grades averaged 13.5 percent in 2008 and 14.1 percent in 2007.
Burnett said protein is highly unpredictable from year to year, depending on weather and levels of nitrogen available to the plant at crucial times during the year.
He said the 2010 protein levels are actually a little higher than expected, adding that the abandoned acres in northern and central Saskatchewan led to expectations of higher average yields and lower average protein.
“Typically in a wet year you lose nitrogen from the soil profile through leaching, denitrification and so on,” Burnett said.
The low protein shouldn’t create significant marketing problems for the board.
Demand for protein varies depending on customers’ end-use requirements. Right now, the U.S. market is showing good premiums for higher protein.
“The traditional customers – Japan, the U.K. and others – are willing to pay more for the high protein they need,” he said.
Most of this year’s crop is No. 3 CWRS, which is averaging 13.5 percent protein and will change the customer mix.
The 2010 U.S. spring wheat regional quality report said the crop there has a better distribution and balance of protein, compared to the record low level produced last year.
“The crop average this year is 13.7 percent, up from 13.1 percent last year, but still about one-half point below the five-year average,” the report said.
Above average yield and cooler temperatures, especially in western areas of the U.S. spring wheat belt, are the two main factors for the below average protein, the report said.
“Distribution of protein this year shows one-half of the crop is above 14 percent protein, compared to roughly one-third last year. On the other end of the protein spectrum, slightly more than 20 percent of the 2010 crop falls below 13 percent protein, whereas more than one-third was below 13 in 2009.”
