Money is made and lost on protein in the cereals business, so its measure can be critical.
If that measurement starts at the combine, which many expect will soon happen, farmers may be the greatest beneficiaries.
Protein grading used to be the realm of government agencies, terminal elevators and grain companies’ head offices.
Today, even the smallest of crib elevators on soon-to-be-abandoned rail branch lines can test for protein levels in small grains.
Control over the sample and any derivative profits still remains in the hands of the grain companies, other than assigned premiums paid through the sale of Canadian Wheat Board grain.
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In August, the wheat board brought in a new system of protein measurement, making payment for every 0.1 percent of additional protein. Premiums used to be based on 0.5 percent steps.
Farmers would often be out of luck if they grew a 13.4 or 12.9 percent grain, falling just below the cutoff for the next higher step. Farmers were not directly compensated for the additional costs incurred in producing the extra four points of protein. Grain companies and the grain pooling system benefited by blending these grains with small amounts of higher protein grains. Producers had little incentive to aim for higher grades.
It was impossible for farmers to segregate grain in storage based on protein because they had no way of measuring levels in the field.
Soon-to-be introduced technology that will allow on-the-go protein testing will allow producers to store grain according to its protein level.
Improve handling system
Phil Williams, of the Canadian Grain Commission, believes the handing system will operate better when farmers are able to preserve the identity of varying protein levels.
“The new generation of concrete elevators are not designed to store grain,” he said.
“They are designed to move it out from large bins at high rates.”
The most efficient segregation and storage should take place on the farm, he said, which will free up the grain handling system to move grain rather than prepare it for shipment.
“Farmers should benefit from those sorts of efficiencies,” Williams said.
