The western producer october 1, 2015

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

VOL. 93 | NO. 39 | $4.25

Agriculture and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Visit us online for the latest developments as talks continue this week | www.producer.com SERVING WESTERN CANADIAN FARM FAMILIES SINCE 1923

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SEE OUR ANNUAL HARVEST PHOTO FEATURE STARTING ON PAGE 24

NICE VIEW: Hot air balloons fly over grain in a field south of Okotoks, Alta., Sept 21. The balloons were in High River for the balloon festival and Canadian championships held Sept. 23 - 27, but they took advantage of the warm weather to see how harvest was progressing. | MIKE STURK PHOTO

Protein levels ‘almost off the chart’ for wheat, durum But it won’t translate into premiums at the elevator if all deliveries grade high BY SEAN PRATT SASKATOON NEWSROOM

Sky-high protein levels mean farmers shouldn’t expect much in the way of premiums this year, say analysts. The Canadian Grain Commission says the average protein level for all grades of spring wheat is 14.1 percent based on 1,100 samples. The durum average is 13.9 percent based on 500 samples. “Protein at the present time is up substantially over last year, and it’s definitely well up over our 10-year average,” said Dave Hatcher, a research scientist with the commission. The 10-year average is 13.4 per-

cent for spring wheat and 12.8 percent for durum. Hatcher said the sample size is one-quarter of what the commission expects to receive this year, but he doesn’t anticipate levels dropping as more samples arrive. It is the same story south of the border. U.S. Wheat Associates is reporting an average spring wheat protein level of 14.2 percent as of Sept. 25, up from last year’s level of 13.6 percent. The durum crop has average protein of 15.7 percent compared to 15 percent last year. Hatcher said the elevated protein levels are the result of timely rain during the flag leaf and filling stages of crop development fol-

lowed by prolonged hot and dry conditions. Kevin Auch, vice-chair of the Alberta Wheat Commission, hasn’t had time to check protein levels in his crops near Carmangay, Alta., but he expects they will be good. “I have heard of some guys in the area that have really high protein, like almost unheard of,” he said. Auch has spoken to farmers with spring wheat and durum protein levels in the 15.5 to 16 percent range. “It is just about off the chart,” he said. Some growers have expressed frustration about the lack of protein

premiums at their local elevator. The Alberta Wheat Commission tracks protein spreads on its website, and the spread for No. 1 CWRS 14 percent wheat over 13.5 percent wheat was six cents per bushel as of Sept. 2. The spread for No. 1 CWAD 13.5 percent over 13 percent was three cents per bushel. “It just kind of makes sense that if there’s lots of (protein) around, they’re not going to pay,” said Auch. “This is a bit of an anomaly. It’s pretty rare that most everybody gets high protein. That’s unusual. But you get a drought and that’s what happens.” SEE PROTEIN LEVELS, PAGE 3

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u|xhHEEJBy00001pzYv.:^ OCTOBER 1, 2015 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Box 2500, Stn. Main, Saskatoon, SK. S7K 2C4 The Western Producer is published in Saskatoon by Western Producer Publications, which is owned by GVIC Communications Corp. Publisher: Shaun Jessome Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240

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