Ontario Wheat Quality
Ontario is situated between the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River Basin, and our temperate climate and fertile soils are key components to producing top quality winter and spring wheat.
Because of Ontario’s size and varied geography, its producers grow several varieties of wheat: from soft wheat in the southwest to hard wheat in the east. Ontario’s wheat production is supported by our proximity to strong transportation infrastructure (highways, rail lines, and river access to ocean ports) and an ample supply of energy sources.
2021 Summary Data
This year, Grain Farmers of Ontario has partnered with SGS Canada, Inc. on the development of the Grains Analytical Testing Laboratory (GATL). The GATL will be conducting this year’s wheat harvest survey program.
Each year, wheat samples are collected from across Ontario with the intent to provide farmers and the grain supply chain, including wheat millers, an average representation of wheat quality in each region and overall for the province. The goal of the program is to collect a representative number of samples from each region to match the production in each area and to represent across the different wheat classes grown. For example, in 2020, 80% of all samples collected were SRW, from which 60% came from the Southwest which closely matches production in that region for SRW.
This sampling program is an indicator of average quality across the regions and is not a definitive number related to quality from every field or truck load. GFO works with supply chain partners across Ontario who oversee the actual collection of the wheat samples. Each group of samples that are submitted are posted online within roughly 14 days of the harvest date.
The variability in sprouting and falling numbers being seen in 2021 is unprecedented and Grain Farmers of Ontario strongly encourages producers to seek out independent testing on their own samples prior to delivery for an indication of quality. Ensure the sample is representative of the field or the bin. Independent testing opportunities for grain grade, falling number, and vomitoxin are available through SGS Canada. Other testing options, including the Canadian Grain Commission are available.
NOTE: All grading and analysis are conducted by the Grains Analytical Testing Laboratory.
Soft Red Winter
| Region* | Samples Collected | Protein (%) | Moisture (%) | Test Weight (kg/hl)** | Falling Number (sec) |
| South West | 117 | 9.6 | 14.6 | 78.9 | 262 |
| 23-Jul | 26 | 9.5 | 15.1 | 80.0 | 336 |
| 28-Jul | 32 | 9.8 | 14.8 | 78.2 | 193 |
| 02-Aug | 14 | 9.4 | 15.8 | 79.7 | 303 |
| 05-Aug | 11 | 9.5 | 13.7 | 77.2 | 237 |
| 12-Aug | 4 | 9.2 | 13.3 | 79.7 | 337 |
| 17-Aug | 30 | 9.7 | 14.0 | 78.9 | 251 |
| Northwest | 51 | 9.7 | 15.0 | 79.1 | 275 |
| 05-Aug | 24 | 9.5 | 14.9 | 79.7 | 306 |
| 12-Aug | 9 | 10.0 | 15.5 | 79.4 | 245 |
| 17-Aug | 18 | 9.7 | 14.9 | 78.3 | 248 |
| Niagara | 42 | 9.3 | 14.9 | 79.1 | 231 |
| 02-Aug | 27 | 9.3 | 15.0 | 79.2 | 232 |
| 12-Aug | 15 | 9.2 | 14.6 | 78.9 | 230 |
| East | 32 | 10.1 | 14.8 | 78.5 | 260 |
| 12-Aug | 24 | 10.0 | 14.9 | 78.0 | 248 |
| 25-Aug | 8 | 10.2 | 14.5 | 79.7 | 298 |
*Region line shows up-to-date average
** Test Weight is adjusted to 13.5%
Hard Red Winter
| Region* | Samples Collected | Protein (%) | Moisture (%) | Test Weight (kg/hl) | Falling Number (sec) |
| South West | 5 | 11.5 | 15.0 | 82.2 | 353 |
| 02-Aug | 1 | 12.2 | 14.5 | 84.4 | 335 |
| 17-Aug | 2 | 12.4 | 15.3 | 83.6 | 303 |
| 25-Aug | 2 | 10.2 | 14.9 | 79.7 | 413 |
| North West | 19 | 11.5 | 16.7 | 83.1 | 301 |
| 05-Aug | 6 | 11.6 | 15.3 | 83.1 | 324 |
| 12-Aug | 9 | 11.1 | 18.3 | 84.0 | 255 |
| 17-Aug | 4 | 12.3 | 15.0 | 81.2 | 367 |
| East | 11 | 12.1 | 15.6 | 81.5 | 329 |
| 12-Aug | 7 | 12.2 | 15.7 | 80.5 | 307 |
| 25-Aug | 4 | 12.0 | 15.5 | 83.2 | 366 |
*Region line shows up-to-date average
Soft White Winter
| Region* | Samples Collected | Protein (%) | Moisture (%) | Test Weight (kg/hl) | Falling Number (sec) |
| South West | 10 | 9.1 | 15.8 | 78.0 | 216 |
| 23-Jul | 4 | 9.2 | 17.4 | 80.4 | 326 |
| 02-Aug | 3 | 9.0 | 15.2 | 76.6 | 155 |
| 05-Aug | 1 | 8.0 | 13.2 | 73.4 | 77 |
| 17-Aug | 2 | 9.7 | 14.7 | 77.5 | 158 |
| North West | 5 | 9.6 | 14.6 | 78.1 | 218 |
| 05-Aug | 4 | 9.8 | 14.3 | 78.1 | 207 |
| 12-Aug | 1 | 9.0 | 15.9 | 78.1 | 262 |
| East | 3 | 9.7 | 14.1 | 75.7 | 126 |
| 12-Aug | 3 | 9.7 | 14.1 | 75.7 | 126 |
*Region line shows up-to-date average
Hard Red Spring
| Region* | Samples Collected | Protein (%) | Moisture (%) | Test Weight (kg/hl) | Falling Number (sec) |
| East | 4 | 12.8 | 17.1 | 83.4 | 352 |
| 25-Aug | 4 | 12.8 | 17.1 | 83.4 | 352 |
*Region line shows up-to-date average
2020 Wheat Technical Bulletins
Ontario Soft Red Winter Wheat Technical Bulletin
Ontario Hard Red Winter Wheat Technical Bulletin
Ontario Soft White Winter Wheat Technical Bulletin
Ontario Hard Red Spring Wheat Technical Bulletin