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Harvest Update / 3
01/09/2010
Roughly 55% of the UK new crop wheat has now been harvested; however progress has slowed down due the frequent rain showers. Farmers are concentrating on quality grades in order to minimise further deterioration.
On the European scene, quality in Germany is not encouraging, with heavy rain and harvest delays affecting quality significantly. The French harvest appears to be of good quality, with yields not as low as first feared.
In the UK, yields are variable, with an estimated 2 to 4% below the five year average.
Smiths have now converted all biscuit grades to 100% new crop. The change over appears to have gone smoothly, with protein content up slightly (around 0.25%). Hagberg falling numbers are generally above 180 seconds (although we have seen some lower figures on loads that have been subjected to the rain showers) and hardness figures are as expected. In terms of rheology, we have seen an increase in resistance, but not significant enough to say if it is a feature of the crop, or a maturation effect.
Mycotoxin levels are low, with the majority of intake tests coming in at less than 750ppb for DON.
In terms of bread making, we have started to intake Solstice and Cordiale new crop this week. Initial millings again suggest a modest protein increase (0.25 to 0.5%), with falling numbers all above 250 seconds. Test baking suggests a longer development time may be required to achieve optimum rheology – but again, it is too early to say if this is a crop feature.
In terms of inclusion, we expect a fairly rapid change over, starting from Monday 6th September, when we will be on 33% new crop. This will increase to 66% new crop from 9th September, then 100% from 13th September.
Please note that some customers have agreed a different change over plan, so these dates are not applicable to those products.
Old crop German wheat is covered until the end of September, and we will have to decide on its new crop replacement in the next few weeks.
As always, please do not hesitate to call if you require any further information.
R.O.Craddock
(Head of Technical)
01/09/10
Harvest Update / 2
17/08/2010
Harvesting is now well underway with around 25% of the wheat now cut. Progress has been hampered by the showery weather conditions, but is generally on track.
Early signs are that quality attributes are good, and reports from ADAS suggest that all the milling samples that they have seen from groups 1 and 2 have made the full breadmaking specification, with all samples being over 250sec Hagberg falling number.
Protein contents and specific weights are generally up, and the need for drying has only been required in the North.
As expected, yields are lower and variable depending on land types – with heavy soils generally outperforming the lighter land. The lower yields together with the drought situation in Russia and Ukraine, and the rain issues in Canada have maintained the upward pressure on grain prices. These issues are now being widely reported in the Press.
In terms of new crop changeover for Smiths Flour Mills, we are still planning to begin bread making changeover around the second week in September – so nothing more to report on those grades at this stage. For biscuit/soft grades, we have harmonised the changeover for the three sites, the current plan being:-
Milling date 14th August 25% new crop
Milling date 17th August 50% new crop
Milling date 20th August 75% new crop
Milling date 24th August 100% new crop
This applies to biscuit/soft grades out of Worksop, Langley and Holbeach. Where customers have requested we will indicate on the certificates which loads contain the new increments.
As before, if there are any questions, please call myself or any of the Technical or Commercial teams.
Harvest Update / 1
26/07/2010
It’s harvest time again and, as usual, we will be updating customers with progress over the coming weeks. The updates are starting earlier than usual, partly in response to the volatile commercial situation that has occurred as a result of adverse global and local reports linked to the dry weather conditions in some parts, and excess rainfall in places like Canada.
In the UK the prolonged dry spell has had potential positive quality effects. Disease levels are low in most grades (except for varieties susceptible to yellow rust), and the prediction for mycotoxin levels are low – assuming no last minute heavy rains. Hagberg falling numbers are set to be high (low amylase activity), and protein quantity is likely to be high. It is too early to predict protein quality, however there have been reports that foliar nitrogen sprays have not been very successful this year as the dry conditions have lead to a very rapid transition from the “milky” to “cheesy” state of the developing grain.
The negative effect that is driving volatility is the inevitable reduced yield caused by the lack of rain. This may also result in shrivelled grain and issues with extraction and bran separation at the mill.
In terms of timing, we are expecting the first significant quantities of new crop biscuit types to arrive at our mills w/c 16th August, with bread making coming in at the beginning of September.
In terms of variety, we are accepting:-
Group 1 – Solstice, Hereward, Paragon. The new variety Gallant will be assessed for inclusion later in the year.
Group 2 - Cordiale, with Kingdom and Sterling to be assessed
Group 3 – All NABIM approved group 3
Group 4 - Selected hard types.
As usual, there will be a phase in period, and details will be released as timings and quality becomes clearer.
Please call any of our Technical Team (or Sales Executive) if you require any further information.
R.O.Craddock
(Head of Technical)
26/7/10
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