Grow grain for long enough, and you can be sure that one day your number – your falling number - will come up, with rain-affected wheat posing real issues, not only in reduced prices for growers, but also poor product performance for end users.
To help growers understand the ins and outs of how the test is conducted and its importance in protecting the industry's reputation with end users, GrainGrowers has developed a series of information videos.
The videos walk through several essential topics, including:
- What is the falling number test
- Impact of weather damage on bread quality
- Impact of weather damage on noodle quality
- How is weather damage grain managed by bakers and noodle makers
- Falling numbers test implications on product quality.
GrainGrowers Policy Manager Technical Dr Sam Nelson said the video series was designed to clearly explain the challenges faced by end users, particularly bakers and noodle makers, comparing products made with weather-damaged and non-weather-damaged grains.
"Weather-damaged wheat makes poor bread and noodles and can cause issues with manufacturing equipment, resulting in increased maintenance and cleaning. Weather-damaged barley is also unsuitable for malt production."
"I encourage growers to take a few minutes to watch the videos and gain some insights into how customers rely on the falling numbers test as a measure of grain quality. While no one wants to have product downgraded, understanding the issues from a customer perspective is important for Australian growers."
Dr Nelson said that while growers regularly questioned the value and accuracy of falling numbers tests, their use in measuring damage at receival was an important tool.
"Most growers understand the test detects damage caused by grain germination after rain at harvest. Damaged grain results in increased alpha-amylase levels, which produces lower quality flour, which is not fully realised until the grain is processed into end products such as bread or noodles."
Dr Nelson said no grower wants to have their wheat assessed as damaged, but an accurate, uniform test is required to deliver information on product quality.
"Like it or not, the test is widely recognised domestically and internationally and is often included in contracts to allow buyers to specify the quality being purchased."
He explained that while several alternative technologies have been developed and studied, none currently offer a direct replacement for the falling numbers test.
"The technology to assess various aspects of grain quality is rapidly developing, and GrainGrowers is keeping a close eye on progress to determine what might be required to support the use and development of the different approaches."
The videos can be viewed on the GrainGrowers website.
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Media contact: Chris Rowley
P: 0415 140 253 | Email chris.rowley@graingrowers.com.au | www.graingrowers.com.au