Mildew Guidelines are soon about to change by federal authorities for milling wheat after a two year study. The changes in guidelines "allow for an increased presence of mildew in the visual guides and standards," according to a recent statement from the Canadian Grain Commission. Testing indicated mildew mainly affects the appearance of wheat and has a "negligible" effect on semolina, according to the statement. Mildew occurs when the kernels affected by fungi that develop under conditions that are overly wet.

Commission officials met with the western Standard Committee's wheat sub committee on October 3rd, following the completion of the study of the effect mildew has "on the intrinsic quality of wheat," according to the study. It also included an assessment of falling number, wheat and flour protein, milling yield and water dough color.

The sub committee recommended adjusting mildew guidelines as soon as possible and new visual standards are being established to show the increased concentration of mildew in the wheat grades.

These changes will affect Canada western red spring, hard white spring, western amber durum, western red winter, western soft white spring, western extra strong, prairie spring red and northern hard red.