1. Issue

Trading Standards to apply for the 2026/27 season as of 1 August 2026 are now available on the GTA website.

2. Background

GTA Member Updates No.3 of 26 and No.9 of 26 sought feedback from industry on potential changes to Trading Standards (Standards) for the coming 2026/27 season. Feedback was received from a range of industry sectors on the proposed changes and a range of other issues.

The GTA Trading Standards Committee (Committee) met in late 2025 and through 2026 on several occasions and reviewed feedback from industry. The Committee recommended changes to the GTA Board, and the Board has adopted recommendations as appropriate.

This document lists:

• Changes to Standards for implementation in 2026/27.
• Issues for Future Review.
• Issues not agreed or progressed in 2026/27.
• Proposed changes for 2027/28.

All 2026/27 Standards and industry submissions received during 2026 on proposed Standards can be viewed on the GTA website

3. Agreed Changes for 2026/27

Unless otherwise noted in the following, industry did not object to the list of changes advised in the second round calling for industry submissions, as listed below.

3.1 Agreed Change: Visual Recognition Standards Guide – all commodities

The Committee has decided that while there are several minor amendments that may add value to the existing version of the VRSG, there is no significant benefit in publishing a new version this year. Hence for the 2026/27 season, reference should be made to the 2025/26 season VRSG released 1 August 2025.

3.2 Agreed Change: Minor Wording Changes & Other Issues – various commodities

Minor changes to wording in all Standards charts and Standards booklets have occurred. These changes were made to refer to the latest versions of reference material available to assist industry implementation of Standards, including:

• Visual Recognition Standards Guide – for all cereal and pulse commodities (except mung beans), wording in Standards Booklets reflects the previous version 2025/26 to be used by industry.
• The current links in the Standards booklets to various Australian Government and industry websites and documents for use by industry on a range of issues such as maximum residue limits for chemicals and market quarantine requirements have been updated.
• A document yet to be released entitled “Australian Grains Industry Post Harvest Chemical Usage Recommendations and Outturn Tolerances 2026/27” for all grain commodities.
• Created a definition for “Seed Pods Attachment” in Faba Beans, being “The seeds are attached to the fruit wall in a seed pod by a small stalk, the funiculus, which is generally referred to as a Seed Pod Attachment”. Clarify the tolerance falls within Foreign Material.
• For Barley and Sorghum Standards, clarified, as per wheat, that any grains retained within the backbone/trash should be removed prior to weighing that quality parameter.
• For Barley, clarified in the Procedures that Germinative Capacity and Germinative Energy is to be assessed on the sample as presented, being the “dirty” or un-sieved sample obtained from the load.
• For Wheat, Barley and Oats, clarified in the Procedures that Varietal Purity, when conducted using visual analysis only, should be assessed on the sample as presented, being the “dirty” or un-sieved sample obtained from the load. The minimum sample size is as per the sample tray size used to assess the majority of Defects for each commodity, being Wheat (300 grains), Barley (100 grains) and Oats (200 grains).
• For all pulse commodities (except mung beans), clarified in the definition that Severely Damaged, unless an Objectionable Odour is present and thus a nil tolerance applies, only applies to whole or substantially whole (more than half) grains or kernels. Smaller pieces are included as defects in the Total Defective category.

3.3 Agreed Change: Varietal Master List – Wheat, Barley, Oats

As in previous seasons, the Varietal Master List for the above commodities has been revised following receipt of relevant changes from the industry sector responsible for the classification of those grain varieties. For all commodities (except mung beans) GTA has:

• Revised all 2026/27 Standards Booklets based on those varietal changes provided.
• Included in those Standards Booklets the classification status and other information on each variety needed by the supply chain where that information is not provided to GTA.
• Sourced from industry and placed the list of all varieties for all commodities (except mung beans) on the GTA website for industry reference. See here for the current version of the Standardised Reference Table – Grain Varietal Code Master List.

3.4 Agreed Change: Procedures – All pulse commodities except Mung Beans

Industry was advised during 2025 that as GTA now develops the Pulse Trading Standards (except mung beans) on behalf of industry, the Committee had commenced revising the Pulse Standards Booklet with the intention of making the Booklet appear as per cereals. While some procedures were revised for the 2025/26 Standards Booklet, several remained to be done, and the Committee has developed a number of the remaining procedures during 2026.

The revised Procedures are published in the Pulse Trading Standards Booklet for 2026/27.

3.5 Agreed Change: AGP1 for 2026/27 – Wheat

The current specification for Falling Number (FN) for AGP1 is a minimum of 200 seconds. A submission was received in 2025 indicating there is no market demand for AGP1 that has a FN of below 250 seconds due to the negative quality of the resulting flour. The Committee noted that in general, where the average FN of wheat stacks are below 250 seconds, the grain generally goes to the Feed market.

The submission requested the Committee to consider a change in FN for AGP1 from a minimum of 200 seconds to 250 seconds. The main intent of the change was to bring AGP1 into alignment with other off grade milling wheats for FN.

The Committee noted that the use of AGP1 had changed over time and AGP1 below 250 seconds was generally significantly discounted. Discussion also arose on the potential to also change other AGP1 parameters to those of AUH2, however the Committee considered there was no need at present.

The Committee agreed to a change in the minimum FN for AGP1 from 200 seconds to 250 seconds, to apply for the 2026/27 season.

3.6 Agreed Change: Varietal Identification – Barley

GTA released Member Update No. 25 of 2025 on 19 November 2025, advising industry of completion of the Committee’s review of the ZoomAgri computer vision and machine learning technology for the recognition of specific barley varieties for compliance with Varietal Purity specifications in Barley Trading Standards.

The Member Update advised industry a decision had been reached to endorse the ZoomAgri “Zoom One” technology as a method for assessment of specific barley varieties only. The timing of when this endorsement commences was conditional on:

• GTA members and industry participants feedback on this decision.
• The preparation of a supporting Technical Guideline Document.
• Changes to the GTA Barley Trading Standards material.

Feedback opposing that decision was not received from industry on that Member Update.

The Committee has reviewed its decision-making process when reviewing technology used to assess grain quality and determined a change in procedure is required. Instead of conducting a detailed review of all technology and subsequent upgrades to that technology, the Committee will be undertaking a simplified process only.

This will include:

• A voluntary process for technology providers to undertake this simplified process with GTA.
• Guidance to technology providers and industry on issues to consider when developing and using technology.
• A simplified process for GTA to assess this technology, involving key principles only such as applicability, proof of concept assessment, and determining whether the technology broadly aligns with GTA Trading Standards and appears equivalent to competent human assessment.
• Key issues for industry to consider when purchasing/using such technology.
• A revision to the Technical Guideline Document No.16 Certification of Grain Assessment Equipment to outline the above.

On the basis of that decision, the Committee has determined that reference to “approved technology” by GTA in Standards or an “approved list” on the GTA website is not required. Hence, the Barley Standards do not reference the Zoom Agri testing equipment.

Note that the abovementioned Technical Guideline Document will be released and be available on the GTA website shortly.

3.7 Agreed Change 2026/27: Johnson Grass / Columbus Grass Tolerance – Sorghum

During 2025 industry was advised of various options to alter the tolerance for Johnson Grass / Columbus Grass in sorghum Trading Standards. The driver for a potential change was a submission received from industry seeking a change in the current tolerance as the current tolerance of 50 seeds / 0.5L significantly exceeds the tolerance required by a major market for Australian sorghum. The difference makes sourcing grain and supplying the market difficult.

Submissions on this subject were received calling for the limit for Johnson Grass/Columbus Grass be reduced from 50 to 10 seeds per half litre, with others seeking a reduction for Sorghum No. 1 only.

The Committee noted:

• The obligation of industry to meet importing country requirements.
• Sorghum No.2, with high levels of these weed seeds, may be blended back into No.1 to meet specifications.
• The additional costs and implications on available segregation space of the creation of a new grade, and the creation of a “market grade” which does not exist for any other cereal commodity.
• The ability of growers to control these weeds has significantly increased in recent seasons, assisted by rotation with other crops such as mung beans.
• While there were relatively few issues with these weed seeds overall during the 2024/25 season, in localised regions there may be some grower concerns. That is, in general, these weeds were either very low or for those growers in localised regions – very high.
• Overall, informal data shows weed seed levels are generally well below 10 seeds/0.5L.
• It was noted that if the No.1 grade only was changed, industry may blend back into No.1 the No.2 grade.
• The majority of domestic use of sorghum is for chicken feed.
• Further communication to industry on obligations to meet importing country market requirements would assist compliance where the sorghum Trading Standards differ from importing country requirements.

Following discussion, the Committee agreed to the following for the 2026/27 season, and this has now been included in the sorghum standards:

Grade	Tolerance	Weed Seed Category / Inclusion
CSG 1 – Sorghum No.1	10 / 0.5L	Type 6(a) Saffron Thistle
CSG 1 – Sorghum No.1	10 / 0.5L	Type 6(b) Johnson Grass or Colombus Grass
CSG 1 – Sorghum No.1	50 / 0.5L	Type 7(a) Adzuki Beans, Broad Beans, Chickpeas, Corn (Maize), Cowpea, Faba Beans, Lentils, Lupin, Onion Weed Pods regardless of size, Peas (Field), Medic Pods, Safflower, Soybean, Sunflower and any other seeds or pods greater than 5mm in diameter
CSG 2 – Sorghum No.2	No change	No change

3.8 Agreed Change 2026/27: Lupins (Albus/Angustifolius) – Wild Radish Pods

Wording in the Farmer Dressed (FD) and Machine Dressed (MD) Standards has altered in relation to Wild Radish.

Current Standards for each commodity respectively refers to “Foreign Material Maximum (% by weight). Unmillable material and all vegetable matter other than Angustifolius/Albus Lupin seed material as outlined below. Includes 2% tolerance for wild radish ”.

The 2% tolerance should have referred to Wild Radish Pods, noting Wild Radish Seeds are included in Small Foreign Seeds.

The Standards tolerances have not been altered as currently applied, but for greater clarity:

• “Wild Radish” has been changed to “Wild Radish Pods”.
• The reference to Wild Radish (Pods) in Type 6 has been removed as this was a transcription error.

For Albus No.1 FD Receival and FD Export Standards, the same definition for Foreign Material now applies, with the tolerance including a maximum of 2% Wild Radish Pods. For the MD Export Standards, the 2% tolerance for Wild Radish Pods was incorrectly listed and has been removed given the Foreign Material tolerance is 0.5% in total, including Wild Radish Pods.

3.9 Agreed Change 2026/27: Colour References – Broad Beans

In the first call for industry submissions industry was advised the current Broad Bean Standards have various references to colour, including evergreens, old seasons, dark beans, black beans and beans that are “distinctly off colour from the characteristic colour of the predominating class”. A review of those various references has occurred, and the findings of the Committee are outlined below.

In 2025/26 Standards:

• Defective Maximum (% by weight) includes “Broad Beans not of the specified variety and Broad Beans remaining above the 6mm slot screen that are broken, chipped, damaged, diseased, frost damaged, insect damaged, loose seed coat, sappy, shrivelled, split, sprouted, weather damaged, wrinkled. Includes whole pods containing seed, Kernel Damage, Poor Colour, Fungal Affected (e.g., Ascochyta) lesions and Screenings ”.
• Poor Colour is defined as “Seed coat or kernel that is distinctly off colour from the characteristic colour of the predominating class. Including evergreens (Max 2%), old season, dark beans, and black beans ”.
• The tolerances that applied are as follows:

Parameter	FD Receival	FD Export	MD Export
Old seasons	In PC (max 3% total)	In PC (max 3% total)	In PC (max 3% total)
Dark beans	In PC (max 3% total)	In PC (max 3% total)	In PC (max 3% total)
Black beans	In PC (max 3% total) but at a Nil tolerance	In PC (max 3%), but max 1%	In PC (max 3% total)
Severely Damaged	1 grain/600g	1% by weight	1% by weight

The Committee discussed this issue and determined:

• If going to the dehulling market, seed coat colour is not that vital providing the kernel is not impacted. But markets in general do not like a darker broad bean (or any dark pulse).
• Old Seasons:
  • Is difficult to interpret visually, usually done by Poor Colour as per the VRSG, being a dark brown seed coat for many pulse commodities.
  • Cannot be measured and in principle should not be included in a Trading Standard.
  • Is generally a contract term or specification of most commodities.
• Dark Beans:
  • As per the VRSG, is generally a dark brown seed coat, as depicted in many pulse commodities.
  • Could be interpreted as any colour over and above good colour, such as dark brown or black.
• Black Beans:
  • Potentially a black seed coat is due to the variety, poor storage conditions leading to the seed coat becoming black or black as a result of severe damage in storage (commonly called Bin Burnt).
  • Poor storage conditions leading to the seed coat being black may only impact on the seed coat and the kernel may be unaffected.
  • Severe damage in storage may impact on the kernel rendering it unfit for human consumption, as depicted by Bin Burnt pictures for faba beans.
  • In the Export Standard there is a 1% tolerance in FD but not in MD. That did not make sense.
• Severely Damaged:
  • Unless the kernel is significantly affected, it may not be able to be distinguished from Black Beans or Dark Beans.

Following discussion, the Committee agreed to implement the following changes for 2026/27:

• Old Seasons – Remove and let it be placed as a contract term if needed.
• Dark – Included in Poor Colour with no separate maximum tolerance.
• Black – As per the faba bean definition, refer to Burnt which is included in Severely Damaged or under Poor Colour.

For clarity, the tolerances that now apply in the 2026/27 season standards are as follows:

Parameter	FD Receival	FD Export	MD Export
Old seasons	n/a	n/a	n/a
Poor Colour Seed Coat or Kernel (includes Dark and any colour darker such as Black)	In PC (max 3% total)	In PC (max 3% total)	In PC (max 3% total)
Severely Damaged (includes Burnt)	1 grain/600g	1% by weight	1% by weight

3.10 Agreed Change 2026/27: Severely Damaged – Various Split Pulse Standards

A submission was received from industry seeking to decrease the tolerance for Severely Damaged from 1% by weight to 0.5% by weight for all “No.1” Split Export Standards. The Committee discussed the issue for the following Split product Standards:

• CSP 2.2 Broad Beans No.1 Split Minimum Export Standard
• CSP 4.2 Chickpeas – Split Chana Dhal Minimum Export Standard
• CSP 5.5 Faba Beans – No.1 Split Minimum Export Standard Machine Dressed
• CSP 7.4.1 Lentils Red Split No.1 Minimum Export Standard
• CSP 10.4 Peas – Yellow Split Minimum Export Standard Machine Dressed

The Committee considered the request and have made the change for the 2026/27 season on the basis of:

• During the processing and splitting of these commodities, much of the Severely Damaged product is removed from the sample.
• As a value-added product, a 1% level of Severely Damaged grain is not acceptable by customers.
• The previous tolerance of 1% by weight is the same as the corresponding Export Standard Farmer Dressed and does not reflect that processing removes many of these defective grains.
• A lower tolerance is justified and needed to cater for low levels of these defective grains that may remain after processing.

3.11 Agreed Change 2026/27: Total Defective – Kabuli Export Machine Dressed Standards

A submission was received from industry seeking to increase the tolerance for Total Defective from 2% by weight to 3% by weight for all No.1 Kabuli Machine Dressed Export Standards. The Committee discussed the issue for the following Standards:

• CSP 4.3.2 Kabuli No.1 Large – Minimum Export Standard Machine Dressed
• CSP 4.3.5 Kabuli No. 1 Small – Minimum Export Standard Machine Dressed

The Committee considered the request and have made the change for the 2026/27 season on the basis of:

• Other commodities have a 3% tolerance in the applicable Machine Dressed Export Standard.
• The previous 2% tolerance is difficult to meet, particularly when Poor Colour and Severely Damaged are included in the definition.
• The Receival Standard Farmer Dressed is 3% by weight, and machine dressing doesn’t significantly decrease if at all, the level of Poor colour grains when present and making up the majority of the Total Defective.

3.12 Agreed Change 2026/27: Total Defective – Albus Lupin Minimum Export Machine Dressed Standard

A submission was received from industry seeking to increase the tolerance for Total Defective from 2% by weight to 3% by weight for 8.2.3 No.1 Albus Lupin Minimum Export Machine Dressed Standard.

The Committee considered the request and made the change for the 2026/27 season on the basis of:

• Other commodities have a 3% tolerance in the applicable Machine Dressed Export Standard.
• The previous 2% tolerance is difficult to meet particularly when Poor Colour is present.

4. Issues for Further Ongoing Consideration

4.1 Further Research: Vacuum Sampling of Road Trucks – All Commodities

The project to review the appropriateness of sampling systems on receival from road trucks being undertaken by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) continues. Industry will be advised of findings once the project is completed and results made available and the Committee has discussed those findings and the implications on industry.

5. Issues not Progressed or Agreed

5.1 No Change: SFW1 – Wheat

Industry was advised in 2020 of a submission requesting a change in the tolerances for a range of defective grain types in the SFW1 grade. That submission in total was not supported and no changes to the tolerances occurred. Since that time, a further submission requesting changes to Field Fungi and Severely Damaged grains only was received.

The submission requested changes as follows:

• Field Fungi increase from 10/half litre to 20/half litre.
• Severely Damaged increase from 1 grain/half litre retained above the 2mm screen to 5 grains/half litre retained above the 2mm screen.

Discussion by the Committee on this topic included:

• The proposed change would be more reflective of tolerances for a stockfeed grade, rather than the current tolerances that reflect a milling wheat grade.
• While some feedback from the stockfeed sector has been received, both supportive and non-supportive, further consideration of impacts is required.
• Responses received have not supported a change to the Field Fungi tolerance. However, there may be some potential for further discussion on the Severely Damaged proposed change.
• Higher levels of Field Fungi and/or Severely Damaged may require mitigation of potential toxins present, using enzymes, mycotoxin binders etc.
• Animal performance may also be impacted.

The Committee has concluded its consultation on the proposed changes with the stockfeed sector. As there was no support for the proposed changes to be made, the existing 2025/26 SFW1 Standards will be retained.

5.2 No Change: ASW1 Falling Number – Wheat

A submission was received seeking a number of changes to the ASW1 standard in relation to Falling Number. The issues outlined were as follows:

• ASW1 classification relies on both visual inspection and instrument testing, including the FN test, to determine the extent of sprouting and starch damage.
• Access to Falling Number units was limited. This has resulted in situations where grain that passed Falling Number testing at outturn has failed at delivery under visual inspection.
• Some sites rely solely on visual inspection of grain, whereas others relay on assessment by the Falling Number.

The submission sought changes as follows:

“All receival sites accepting ASW1 wheat for grading purposes maintain access to Falling Number testing equipment or have established protocols for sample referral to a Falling Number capable facility where sprouting is visually indicated:

• Develop a weighted assessment approach that gives proportional consideration to both instrumental and visual test results, rather than applying an automatic fail on marginal Falling Number or visual grounds alone.
• Clarify contract terms that a Falling Number test is not mandatory. When a Falling Number machine is not available at the delivery site, all contracts must clearly state that the visual test remains the primary method and that the Falling Number machine only overrides the visual test when it is available.”

The Committee considered the various issues raised in the submission and agreed not to change current ASW1 (or other wheat grades) standards in relation to visual sprouting and Falling Number. The decision to not alter standards was based on:

• The internationally recognised “rapid” method for assessment of grain quality in relation to starch damage is the Falling Number test.
• While the Falling Number test is designed as a laboratory test, its use in the field for load-by-load testing is recognised and has been referenced in GTA wheat standards for many years.
• Domestic and export customers have a requirement for minimum Falling Number, as generally listed in the standards for each grade.
• As clearly stated in wheat standards, objective testing methods (such as Falling Number) over-ride any visual subjective test (such as visual sprouted as per the Visual Recognition Standards Guide).
• Industry is encouraged to use objective recognised and approved testing equipment for grain quality assessment over any subjective testing method.
• GTA cannot mandate use of equipment by industry. GTA provides information to industry to assist correct application of standards. This includes encouraging industry to utilise available objective testing equipment and not rely on less accurate subjective methods of equipment.
• There are a number of commercially available Falling Number units for use by industry.
• GTA has provided a range of information to industry to assist correct application of standards, including:
  • Falling Number method outlined in the Wheat Standards Booklet.
  • A field evaluation test in the Wheat Standards Booklet where load by load Falling Number testing does not occur. That method clearly states it is a guide only and industry is responsible for meeting applicable Falling Number tolerances in standards and customer requirements where listed.
  • A Technical Guideline Document (TGD No.3 Sprouted Grain Assessment) outlining a range of issues industry should manage when assessing grain and a reference is included to either a visual assessment of sprouted grain or a reference unit for assessing grain quality.
• GTA Trading Standards are for the entire industry. Where variations are required for a specific sector of industry, commercial contract variations may be more appropriate than altering national standards.
• Industry should be aware of contractual requirements and undertake relevant testing to ensure customer requirements are met. Specifically, in the Code of Practice 2.7.2 it states, “Grain is only out-turned when known to be in compliance with market requirements”.

As the Committee is in the process of reviewing a range of TGDs, the Committee agreed to prioritise TGD No.3 to ensure it addresses the issues raised in the submission where relevant.

6. Agreed Change 2027/28 Season

6.1 Agreed Change 2027/28: Severely Damaged / Diseased – All cereal and pulse commodities except Mung Beans

A clarification of the definition of Severely Damaged (SD) will be made for all commodities. In the Visual Recognition Standards Guide (VRSG), Diseased is referenced in all SD definitions by commodity as “Diseased / Other Serious Visual Defects: Refers to those kernels that have become significantly discoloured and/or have a serious visual defect that is not otherwise listed in these Standards”.

Diseased should not be included in SD as generally “Field Fungi” or some other definition covers this category. Including Diseased creates confusion as for all commodities it should be considered to be a defect that may or may not be distinguishable by other definitions included in Defective.

For clarity, the following wording changes will occur in 2027/28, noting the intent of the current Standards will not alter:

• For all Cereal and Pulse Commodities ensure wording refers to “grain”, as some refer to kernel and some grain.
• For Wheat, Barley, Oats, Sorghum and pulses (except mung beans), remove Diseased from the SD definition of Other Serious Visual Defects.
• For Cereal Rye and Triticale alter the current references from Burnt, Heat Damaged, Storage Mould (count per half litre) to SD with the same definitions as per wheat.
• For all pulse commodities (except mung beans), ensure a consistent definition of Diseased is included and Diseased is referenced as a quality parameter in the Total Defective category where present in the applicable Standard. The definition will be “Visible impact on the grain that renders that grain not considered to be of sound quality and of sufficient impact to be categorised as defective. May or may not be distinguishable from other categories of defective grains as defined in this Standard”.