Protein testing of wheat

Press, 21 September 1977, Page 2

Protein testing of wheat

A further step in the direction of paying for wheat on a quality basis was taken by the Wheat Research Committee yesterday. The committee adopted a recommendation from a subcommittee, that wheat from the next harvest be tested for protein at the same time as it is submitted to the ■'mini-bake” test at harvest time for baking quality. Reporting to the committee, the convener of the sub-committee (Mr R. W. Cawley) said that tests carried out on every load of wheat delivered to Archer’s mill at Southbrook from the last harvest had provided a

hopeful basis for payment for quality. While it might be theoretically possible to have discussions next year about altering the grading regulations with a view to introducing payment for quality in 1979, he said that this would be something of a leap in the dark, and could only be envisaged if everyone concerned was convinced that it was the right thing to do.

It had therefore been considered a very useful first step to carry out protein testing on samples from next harvest as the baking test was also done.

It would be a step forward without taking an irrevocable course of action.

The acting chairman of the committee (Mr J. K. Ireland) said that at this stage they had too little information to make long-term decisions, and acceptance or rejection of wheat from the next harvest would still be based on the baking score.