New crop year marks two new wheat classifications

August marks the start of the new crop year and some major changes in wheat classification for farmers.

Daryl Beswitherick with the Canadian Grain Commission says two new wheat classes have been set up, Canada Northern Hard Red and Canada Western Special purpose wheat.

He says the special purpose wheat class is for varieties for ethanol or livestock feed markets.

Beswitherick says new varieties with low gluten strength but still good for milling purposes fall into the Canada Northern Hard Red class.

The biggest change involves the elimination of Canada Western Feed, Canada Western General Purpose and interim classes.