This season all durum wheat receivals will be tested at delivery sites by a new machine that measures vitreous durum and contamination with bread wheat or barley.

Test results from the Cervitec instrument will not affect payment grades this year as the machine is still in the evaluation stage.

NSW Department of Primary Industries durum industry development officer Josh Gordon, whose national role is supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation, said the new technology was designed to ensure Australia’s reputation as a supplier of the highest quality durum was maintained.

“Grain colour, high protein and a high percentage of hard vitreous kernels (HVK) are the key factors when out to impress international buyers of Australian durum wheat,” Mr Gordon said.

“Vitreous durum has hard, translucent kernels with no starchy deposits and is important because it determines the yield of semolina able to be milled.

“Non-vitreous starchy deposits produce flour, a byproduct of pasta production, thus making non-vitreous durum less valuable to millers.

“The calculation of vitreous grain percentage has traditionally been based on a visual assessment that was subjective, and apart from being not repeatable or transferable between sites, it suffers from varying experience among testers and varying environments in which the tests are carried out.”

A panel of experienced grain industry quality experts from ABB Grain Ltd, AWB Ltd, GrainCorp Ltd and AWB GrainFlow developed reference material that has enabled the Foss instrument company to develop a machine that will quickly and accurately measure vitreous durum and grain contamination.

Technical research co-ordinator for Grain- Corp, Jason Lowien, said growers would see every load assessed for HVK and durum would be binned according to this classification.

“Minimum grade limits would apply to Bellaroi and the top durum grade at 90 per cent, the second grade of durum at 80pc and the third at 70pc.”

“Industry feedback from the Durum Forum in Tamworth was that the Australian industry should be working towards a test that will eliminate human variation, and while still untested in the field, this machine is a step in the right direction.

“The aim is that growers can be paid for achieving quality characteristics that are appreciated by the consumer.

“This season’s results should help determine if the Cervitec is accurate enough for the market place.”

Contact Joshua Gordon, Tamworth, (02) 6763 1212.