Wheat growers will be paid for a wider range of protein levels under rules that went into effect Aug. 1.
The Canadian Wheat Board announced last week that the range of protein that qualifies for separate payments will be expanded in the new crop year.
In the last crop year, protein payments were made for a range of 12 to 15 percent for the two top grades of hard red spring wheat, and for a range of 12.5 to 14 percent for the two top grades of amber durum.
As of Aug. 1, protein will now be paid for within a range of 11 to 15.5 percent for both red spring and durum wheat.
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“The reason is to give people a better indication of the value of their grain,” said wheat board spokesperson Justin Kohlman, adding it should be particularly welcome news for those who produce high protein.
This is the second consecutive crop year in which the board has introduced a significant change for protein payments.
A year ago, it began paying farmers for each one-tenth of a percentage point change in protein content, rather than the previous system of half a percentage point.
Farm groups, some of which had been lobbying for such a change for several years, generally welcomed the move.
