1. Issue

Trading Standards to apply for the 2024/25 season as of 1 August 2024 are now available on the GTA website.

2. Background

GTA Member Updates No.1 of 24 and No.3 of 24 sought feedback from industry on potential changes to Trading Standards (Standards) for the coming 2024/25 season. Feedback was received from a range of industry sectors on the proposed changes and a range of other issues.

The GTA Standards Committee (Committee) met in 2024 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 2024/25.
• Issues for Future Review.

All 2024/25 Standards and industry submissions received during 2024 on proposed Standards can be viewed on the GTA website at http://www.graintrade.org.au/commodity_standards.

3. Agreed Changes for Adoption in 2024/25

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

As advised during 2024 the existing Visual Recognition Standards Guide (VRSG) produced by GTA was being reviewed for the commodities listed in that document.

General changes have been made to the document in many instances to provide greater clarity and aid interpretation. Changes are outlined in the table below.

Commodity	Standards Issue	Proposed Outcome
Barley	pg. 5 Rachilla hair length	Barley variety Commodus CL listed under Rachilla hair length – long haired.
Barley	pg. 10 Severely Damaged	Update photo to differentiate from Damage under husk.
Canola	pg.13 Sprouted	Update definition for sprouted to add “Seed has visibly swelled and enlarged”, to differentiate between Sprouted and Split.
Chickpeas (Desi)	P18 Insect Damaged	Add wording to clarify where eggs are present “Includes insect eggs of all Stored Grain Insect species on the Seed Coat surface, whether those eggs may be live or dead and any number.” Include new photo of eggs on grain
Chickpeas (Desi)	pg. 19 Shrivelled and Wrinkled	Further clarify the definition by adding “A distinct ridge (often described as mountains and valleys) on the seed coat must be present to be classified as Shrivelled & Wrinkled. Ridges may be described as coarse waves rather than soft waves. Seed coats may be wrinkled or dimpled and distinctly indented into the kernel.”
Chickpeas (Kabuli)	pg. 25 Shrivelled and Wrinkled	Further clarify the definition by adding “A distinct ridge (often described as mountains and valleys) on the seed coat must be present to be classified as Shrivelled & Wrinkled. Ridges may be described as coarse waves rather than soft waves. Seed coats may be wrinkled or dimpled and distinctly indented into the kernel.” Add photos of a Sound and defective grain.
Faba beans	pg.28 Shrivelled and Wrinkled	Further clarify the definition by adding “A distinct ridge (often described as mountains and valleys) on the seed coat must be present to be classified as Shrivelled & Wrinkled. Ridges may be described as coarse waves rather than soft waves. Seed coats may be wrinkled or dimpled and distinctly indented into the kernel.”
Lentils	P34 Shrivelled and Wrinkled	Further clarify the definition by adding “A distinct ridge (often described as mountains and valleys) on the seed coat must be present to be classified as Shrivelled & Wrinkled. Ridges may be described as coarse waves rather than soft waves. Seed coats may be wrinkled or dimpled and distinctly indented into the kernel.”
Lentils	pg.37 Orange Tip	Update definition to state “included in Defective but not Poor Colour”.
Lentils	pg.39 Contrasting Colours	Revised chart to include newer varieties.
Lupins	pg. 42 Shrivelled and Wrinkled	Further clarify the definition by adding “A distinct ridge (often described as mountains and valleys) on the seed coat must be present to be classified as Shrivelled & Wrinkled. Ridges may be described as coarse waves rather than soft waves. Seed coats may be wrinkled or dimpled and distinctly indented into the kernel.” Added wording of DEFECTIVE under all images for clarity.
Peas, Field	pg.56 Shrivelled and Wrinkled	Further clarify the definition by adding “A distinct ridge (often described as mountains and valleys) on the seed coat must be present to be classified as Shrivelled & Wrinkled. Ridges may be described as coarse waves rather than soft waves. Seed coats may be wrinkled or dimpled and distinctly indented into the kernel.” Updated defective image
Sorghum	pg. 59 Sprouted	Added new photo to clarify ‘Scalloped’. Add wording to include grains where the germ has been knocked off (Scalloped) are defective.
Wheat	pg.63 Durum Identification	Update wording to reflect that some durum varieties may have hairs on the brush end.
Wheat	pg.67 White Grain Disorder	Revise terminology of this defect to refer only to White Grain Disorder. Include wording “Includes Fusarium Head Blight”.

The 2024/25 version of the VRSG can be obtained here http://www.graintrade.org.au/fact-sheets-publications

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 2024/25.
• As GTA now develops the Pulse Trading Standards (except mung beans) on behalf of industry, all references to Pulse Australia have been 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. Some re-wording to further align Procedures will occur in the 2025/26 season.
• To provide clarity a wording alteration in the 2024/25 Barley Trading Standards has been made to the barley grades Barley1 and Barley2. These grade names were introduced several years ago to replace the FEED grades and are now considered redundant as industry has moved to using 4-character grade codes of BAR1 and BAR2. In the 2024/25 Barley Trading Standards where there is a reference to Barley1 and Barley2, the following words for clarification purposes have been added “Commonly known within industry as BAR1 and BAR2”.
• 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” (see http://www.graintrade.org.au/nwpgp).

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

The Varietal Master List for the above commodities have been reviewed following receipt of the changes from the industry sectors responsible for development and maintenance of those lists. Relevant changes have now been included in each Standards Booklet.

Note that GTA has placed the list of varieties for all commodities on the GTA website for industry reference.

3.4 Agreed Change: Bin 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 altered the Bin Grade Classifications for 2024/25 to allow APH/AH/APW/ASW classified wheat varieties to flow down or logically fall into the AWW1 and AWW2 grades.

The new Bin Grade Cascade Rules are now:

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 has been implemented in 2024/25. The specifications and Bin Cascade Rules for this new grade are 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

In previous seasons Standards, there was no requirement to use a screen during the assessment of Angustifolius lupins. Industry 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 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 was 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 Damaged in FD Receival to 15 grains per 200 grams and FD Export in containers 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 lose 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 is being progressed during 2024. Industry will be advised of findings in due course.

4.2 Further Research: 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.