1. Issue

During deliberations on the development of Grain Trading Standards (Standards) for the 2023/24 season, industry feedback was received by GTA on the proposed changes for 2023/24, and potential changes for the following 2024/25 season. GTA called for industry submissions via Member Update 1 of 24.

The GTA Trading Standards Committee (Committee) has recently met to discuss industry feedback received and the potential Standards for 2024/25.

This document is provided for industry consideration and feedback.

2. Process for Industry Feedback

The Committee is seeking industry comment on the issues outlined in this document and on any other Standards related issue.

Submissions should be received by COB Friday 17 th May 2024.

Please lodge your submissions by sending to submissions@graintrade.org.au and title your email – Standards Review 2024/25.

Industry is encouraged to provide supporting evidence for any change proposed in Standards. Preference is for industry to use the proforma for lodging submissions located on the GTA website at http://www.graintrade.org.au/committees.

Unless marked “confidential” and appropriate supporting reasons are provided, all submissions will be placed on the GTA website for industry review.

3. Agreed Changes for Adoptionin 2024/25

3.1 Agreed Change: Visual Recognition Standards Guide – All Commodities

While a revised version was published for the 2023/24 season, the Committee has decided that further changes are required to aid industry interpretation of the Standards. The proposed changes are outlined below.

Commodity	Standards Issue	Agreed Outcome
Barley	pg. 5 Rachilla hair length	Barley variety Commodus CL to be listed under Rachilla hair length – long haired.
Barley	pg. 6 Shot	Update photo of Shot (LHS image) to one that more clearly depicts the image.
Barley	pg. 10 Severely Damaged	Update photo to differentiate from Damage under husk.
Barley	Smuts	Add image and consider including other smuts as Ball smut is rarely sighted.
Canola	pg.13 Sprouted	Update definition for sprouted to add “swelling and enlarged”, to differentiate between Sprouted and Split.
Canola	pg.14 Mould	Review definition / name for Mould. Propose to alter wording from Mould to Field Fungi.
Chickpeas (Desi)	pg. 19 Shrivelled and Wrinkled	Include sound photo of Shrivelled and Wrinkled. Alter definition to include distinct ridges.
Chickpeas (Desi)	pg. 20 Poor Colour	Update definition to state a minimum requirement of 20% is considered as defective where staining is present.
Chickpeas (Desi)	pg. 21 Stained and Weather Damaged	Update definition to state a minimum requirement of 20% is considered as defective where staining is present.
Chickpeas (Kabuli)	pg. 23 Poor Colour	Update definition to state a minimum requirement of 20% is considered as defective where staining is present.
Chickpeas (Kabuli)	pg. 25 Shrivelled and Wrinkled	Include sound photo of Shrivelled and Wrinkled. Alter definition to include distinct ridges.
Chickpeas & other Pulses	Insect Damaged	Standards refer to VRSG for a photo of insect eggs on the seed coat – as there is not a photo, revise wording.
Faba beans	pg.28 Shrivelled and Wrinkled	Alter definition to include distinct ridges.
Faba beans	pg.30 Poor Colour	Update definition to state a minimum requirement of 20% is considered as defective where staining is present. Revise photo to include old season’s grain.
Faba beans	pg. 31 Stained and Weather Damaged	Update definition to state a minimum requirement of 20% is considered as defective where staining is present.
Lentils	pg.37 Orange Tip	Update definition to state “included in Defective but not Poor Colour”.
Lentils	pg.37 Blonde Kernel	Update definition to state “included in Defective”.
Lentils	pg.39 Contrasting Colours	Revise chart to include newer varieties.
Lupins	pg.40 – update note below photos	Albus Lupins are considered a contaminant in Angustifolius Lupins and are to be added to defective.
Lupins	pg. 42 Shrivelled and Wrinkled	Add wording explaining which grains are sound / defective wording below the images. Update definition to include distinct ridges.
Lupins	pg. 43 Poor Colour	Update definition to state a minimum requirement of 20% is considered as defective where staining is present.
Peas, Field	pg.56 Shrivelled and Wrinkled	Remove small pea image (RHS) as it is not needed. Update image of a sound Wrinkled Field Pea.
Peas, Field	pg. 57 Poor Colour	Update definition to state a minimum requirement of 20% is considered as defective where staining is present.
Sorghum	pg. 59 Sprouted	Revise photo and alter wording to include grains where the germ has been knocked off.
Wheat	pg.63 Durum Identification	Update wording to reflect that some durum varieties may have hairs on the brush end. Include this wording change in the Wheat Standards Booklet definition for Durum.
Wheat	pg.67 White Grain Disorder / Head Scab	Update sound mottled image. Revise terminology of this defect to refer only to White Grain Disorder.Alter definition in VRSG and Wheat Standards Booklet to include Fusarium Head Blight (was referred to previously as Head Scab).
Wheat	pg. 68 Ball Smuts	Update image and consider including other smuts as Ball Smut is rarely sighted.

3.2 Agreed Change: Minor Wording Changes & Other Issues – Cereal & Pulse Commodities

Minor changes to wording in all relevant Standards charts and Standards booklets will occur. These changes will refer to the latest versions of reference material available to assist industry implementation of Standards, including:

• Visual Recognition Standards Guide for 2024/25 – all cereal and pulse commodities (except mung beans).
• As GTA now develops the Pulse Trading Standards (except mung beans) on behalf of industry, all references to Pulse Australia will be removed from the Pulse Standards and replaced with GTA.
• The Committee has reformatted the Pulse Standards Booklet and all Pulse Standards quality charts as per cereals for consistency. This process did not alter the existing Standards, only revised wording for consistency with cereals and to aid industry interpretation.
• The current links in the Standards 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 will be updated.
• The document entitled “Australian Grains Industry Post Harvest Chemical Usage Recommendations and Outturn Tolerances 2024/25” for all cereal commodities.

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

As in previous seasons, the Varietal Master List for the above commodities will be reviewed following receipt of the changes from the industry sector responsible for maintenance of those lists. All Standards will be revised based on those changes and advised to industry when the 2024/25 season Standards are released. In the interim, refer to the Trading Standards Booklets for each commodity to view the existing varietal classifications.

Note that GTA will place the list of varieties for all commodities (except mung beans) on the GTA website for industry reference.

3.4 Agreed Change: Bin Grade Cascade Rules for AWW – Wheat

Industry was advised of the introduction of the AWW Class, with subsequent grades of AWW1 and AWW2 in the 2023/24 season. The Bin Cascade Rules prevented any milling class grades from receival into the AWW1 and AWW2 grades.

The intention of the AWW Class was to create a Class of hard wheat that was of milling quality and able to compete with lower cost other origin wheat. While it is critical that AWW classified varieties are not received into the APH/AH/APW/ASW segregations to protect the existing elite milling classes, the blending of higher quality wheat classes into the AWW Class grades is not in conflict with the intent of AWW.

The Committee has agreed to alter the Bin Grade Classifications for 2024/25 to allow APH/AH/APW/ASW classified wheat varieties into the AWW1 and AWW2 grade. This will assist with segregations and to help build the critical mass of AWW grain required to establish the AWW brand in the marketplace.

The new Bin Grade Cascade Rules will be:

Class	Bin Grade Cascade
APH	APH1 / APH2 / H1 / H2 / APW1 / APW2 / ASW9 / ASW1 / AUH2 / AGP1 / HPS1 / AUW1 / AWW1 / AWW2 / SFW1 / FED1
AH	H1 / H2 / APW1 / APW2 / ASW9 / ASW1 / AUH2 / AGP1 / HPS1 / AUW1 / AWW1 / AWW2 / SFW1 / FED1 /
APW	APW1 / APW2 / ASW9 / ASW1 / AGP1 / HPS1 / AUW1 / AWW1 / AWW2 / SFW1 / FED1
ASW	ASW9 / ASW1 / AGP1 / HPS1 / AUW1 / AWW1 / AWW2 / SFW1 / FED1
AWW	AWW1 / AWW2 / SFW1 / FED1
AGP	AGP1 / HPS1 / AUW1 / AWW1 /AWW2 / SFW1 / FED1
ASF1 (SFE)	SFT1 (SFE1) / SFT2 (SFE2) / SGP1~ / SGP2~ / AUN1^ / SFW1 / FED1
ANW	ANW1 / ANW2 / AUN1^ / SFW1 / FED1
ASWS#	ASWS / AGP1 / AUW1 / SFW1 / FED1
ADR	DR1 / DR2 / DR3 / FED1
APWN	APWN and then as per APW unless otherwise indicated in the Masterlist
FEED**	SFW1 / FED1

3.5 Agreed Change: New ASW Grade – Wheat

Industry was advised in 2022 a submission was received seeking to create a new ASW milling grade with a minimum 9% protein. The Committee had discussed the submission at length and noted:

• No change would occur to the current ASW1 Grade, which has no minimum or maximum protein.
• The protein content of the Western Australian crop has been declining in recent seasons, with receival data showing a decline from 2008.
• The Committee questioned the decline in protein and the needs of the market. Generally, the human consumption milling market has no demand for ASW below 9% protein.
• The current ASW1 protein range of the delivered crop is broad, creating a very different quality profile depending on the protein content.
• It was agreed there needs to be discussion across industry to assist with understanding the market requirements.
• It could also be expected that growers who deliver higher protein ASW1 in the range of 9% – 10% may be missing out on higher returns if that grain was segregated rather than being commingled with ASW grain with a protein lower than 9%.

After discussion the Committee agreed to form an industry Working Group to discuss:

• The changes to the declining protein content of the WA crop.
• Consider the impact of the proposal on the entire Australian crop make-up.
• Consult with all relevant industry sectors more fully on the implications of any change, including the grower sector, BHCs in terms of segregations, payments and end-users including the human consumption and stockfeed sectors of industry.

Industry consultations occurred in Western Australia, following a trial of an ASW grade with a minimum protein of 9% in that State. Industry was advised that unless otherwise stated, this new grade would be introduced in 2024/25. As there was no negative feedback from industry, the new ASW grade will apply in 2024/25. The specifications and Bin Cascade Rules for this new grade will be as follows:

• Grade Name – ASW9.
• Grade Code – CSG113.
• Specifications – as per ASW1 except a minimum protein of 9% applies.
• Bin Cascade Rules – as per ASW1. That is:

Class	Bin Grade Cascade
ASW	ASW9 / ASW1 / AGP1 / HPS1 / AUW1 / AWW1 / AWW2 / SFW1 / FED1

3.6 Agreed Change: Durum v Bread Wheat – Durum

Industry has recently advised that the traditional identification method of durum varieties versus bread wheat varieties of “no fine hairs on the brush end of durum” no longer applies to some newer durum varieties. Fine hairs have been detected on some durum varieties and this has made distinction between durum and bread wheats difficult.

The Committee has consulted with the main durum breeder in Australia and been advised the low-level presence of fine hairs is expected to continue to arise, given breeding material being used. As the previous definition and distinction between durum and bread wheat varieties no longer applies, the wording in the Wheat Standards and VRSG for 2024/25 has been revised to advise that “fine hairs may be present on the brush end of some durum varieties”.

Industry is encouraged to implement appropriate management systems when receiving bread versus durum varieties,
including where appropriate:

• Collection of varietal declarations via a Commodity Vendor Declaration.
• Retention of individual load samples.
• Laboratory or other analytical tools for the assessment of a variety.

3.7 Agreed Change: Gumnuts – All pulse commodities except Mung Beans

Industry was advised of an agreed change in tolerance for all cereal grains in 2023/24 as part of a review of the practicality of a Nil Tolerance in Standards and the intention to consider developing low level tolerances for some contaminants. A change in the nil tolerance for gumnuts for cereals was agreed, given:

• The impracticality of removing a low number of gumnuts from a load.
• The implications of rejection of a truckload of grain for the presence of one gumnut, which may be of any size.
• The ability of many processors to remove gumnuts from a load prior to processing.

That change for cereals was made for the 2023/24 season as follows:

• For all cereal commodities and grades, removing the current nil tolerance level for gumnuts only.
• A low-level tolerance for gumnuts only, of 1 gumnut/2.5L be included for all cereal commodities and grades, similar to that applying for Stones.
• The definition of a gumnut be “whole or pieces of any size and maturity level”.
• The current definition and nil tolerance of other Eucalyptus spp. plant material remains in all Standards.

For consistency across commodities, the Committee has agreed to implement the above change for all pulses. For all pulses for the 2024/25 season, the Committee has agreed to implement a tolerance of 1 gumnut/2kg for all Farmer Dressed Receival and Farmer Dressed Export Standards. There will be no change to the nil tolerance for all other Standards (i.e., Split, Machine Dressed).

3.8 Agreed Change: Lupin Screen – Angustifolius Lupins

Currently there is no requirement to use a screen during the assessment of Angustifolius lupins. Industry has sought inclusion of the use of a screen in the assessment process:

• Angustifolius is one of the few remaining pulse commodities where a screen is not referenced in the standards.
• For all other commodities a screen is used to assist determination of small, shrivelled pulses. In those standards, all pulse material being assessed, falling below the screen is considered defective. For Angustifolius lupins, the assessment of small, shrivelled grains must be done visually without any reference to a guide for size. Inclusion of a screen will assist in the determination of shrivelled.
• The definition would be as per many other pulses, being “any Angustifolius lupin seed material would be defective lupin seed material if it falls through the screen”.
• The Committee reviewed the industry proposal and considered that utilising an existing screen would be justified rather than reference a screen that is not used by industry. The Committee agreed to revise the proposed approach and to refer to the use of the 3.75mm slotted screen, as referenced in standards for faba beans and field peas.

Therefore for 2024/25, the Angustifolius lupin standards will reference the use of the 3.75mm slotted screen to determine the defective grains that are shrivelled, i.e.., that fall below the screen.

3.9 Agreed Change: New Grade – Desi Chickpeas

In recent seasons industry has implemented an off grade for desi chickpeas designed to receive some mouldy chickpeas when affected by weather events. This grade has been widely referenced in industry contracts based on the quality of grain that has been produced due to seasonal conditions. The marketplace has successfully bought and sold this grade, based on the agreed industry specifications for this off-grade.

Industry has sought creation of this grade as a formal GTA industry grade. A further submission was received from industry seeking changes from that previously proposed Standard in Member Update 1 of 24. Those proposed changes were as follows:

Total Defectives

• The Committee previously proposed
  • 15% for FD Receival.
  • 20% for FD Export for Containers.
  • 25% for FD Export for Bulk.
• The proposal agreed with a limit of 15% for FD Receival given it is being sold with similar specifications to the No.2 grade. A slight increase in Total Defectives on export of 17% for FD Containers and 20% for FD export Bulk was requested as it should cater for some added damage due to weather but enable current market requirements to be met for defectives (mainly split and broken).

Severely Damaged

• The Committee previously proposed
  • 10 grains per 200 grams for FD Receival.
  • 1% by weight for FD Export in containers and bulk. This is included in the Total Defectives tolerance
• The proposal called for an increased level of Severely Damage in FD Receival to 15 grains per 200 grams and FD Export in contains and bulk of 2% by weight. This is included in the Total Defectives tolerance. The increase was requested as the main reason for the creation of this No.3 grade is mould, given wet weather during harvest may lead to creation of mould.

The Committee agreed to modify the previously proposed Standards based on the two submissions as follows for the 2024/25 season:

• The grade will be called No.3.
• Two grades will be created, being Farmer Dressed Receival and Farmer Dressed Export.
• The Physical Quality Parameters, Foreign Weed Seeds and Other Contaminants will be as per the existing No.1 and No.2 grades.
• Total Defectives will be as follows:
  • 15% for FD Receival
  • 20% for FD Export for containers and 25% for FD Export for bulk.
  • The creation of this grade is for an increase in mould due to weather prior to harvest. During these significant weather events, the grains become brittle, and loose colour. The grains are increasingly susceptible to splitting and breakage during harvest, handling and storage. Therefore, the Committee agreed that the increase of 2% for No.1 grade chickpeas would not be adequate for this quality of chickpeas where there is a significantly higher risk of damage during handling and storage than for the better-quality No.1 grade chickpeas.
• Separate tolerances for Poor Colour and Fungal Affected are not required given the quality of this grade.
• Severely Damaged tolerances will be 15 grains for FD Receival and 2% by weight for FD Export to cater for the higher level of mould in chickpeas because of:
  • Weather damage at harvest.
  • The increased risk of mould developing during storage over the better-quality grades

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 has completed its initial
phase. Based on initial findings, further research is required and will be progressed during 2024.
Industry will be advised of findings in due course.

4.2 Further Review: 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 continues consultation on the proposed changes with the stockfeed sector. Industry will be advised of the findings during 2024.