Canada
October 19, 2010
Growers with canola downgraded for green and other factors may benefit from knowing the grading rules.
- No.1 canola may contain up to 2% distinctly green seeds and a maximum of 5% damaged seed (including green).
- The allowable limit for No.2 is 6% distinctly green and 12% total damaged seed.
- The allowable limit for No.3 is 20% distinctly green and 25% total damaged seed.
- Anything above that is sample.
The Canadian Grain Commission’s Official Grain Grading Guide, which you can read online, says damaged seed includes canola seeds that are: Distinctly shrunken or shriveled; badly discoloured from mould; completely and densely covered with rime; excessively weathered, sprouted, tan coloured, distinctly green, heated, insect damaged or otherwise damaged.
Not all green is "distinctly" green
The Grain Grading Guide says "distinctly green tolerances are applied to crushed seeds which are a distinct green throughout."
Borderline light green or greenish yellow seeds are not distinctly green and are not included in the green total, says Murray Hanson, CGC operation supervisor for Manitoba.
These pale green or immature seeds are taken into account in the evaluation of colour. (Read the colour section in the Grain Grading Guide.)
Growers with concerns about the canola grade they have received can get a second opinion by sending a representative sample to the CGC for grading. The CGC will provide this service for free until December 1. Click here for details. And for canola that is downgraded check out the discount schedules with a variety of buyers. Different delivery points may have different discounts for lower grades depending on the specific downgrading factors and their costs for additional handling, blending or processing to meet their customers’ tolerances.
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