“The judges and I were quite amazed at the quality of the samples tested, particularly the visual quality of it and the harvest yields.”
Demand for wheat was increasing because more and more dairy farmers were using wheat for stock feed, he said.
“The cows produce more milk with grain feeding.
“The wholegrain feed is supplied to dairy cows crushed, and sometimes with additives such as minerals and extra proteins.”
New Zealand wheat was right up to world standards in terms of quality and yields and he expected continuing improvement.
“Over the last few years in particular there’s been an increased emphasis and focus on breeding new varieties and also we have a number of overseas varieties now that have been trialled and tested for NZ growing conditions,” he said.
“They are new varieties that have come in from overseas, particularly out of Europe, that suit our conditions and we’re getting improved genetics which is giving us higher yields and disease resistance.
“ATS Seed sponsors the competition because we see it as a good opportunity to promote the successful wheat-growing with growers and get them to showcase their good crops and also perhaps the new varieties that are coming through,” Dale said.
United Wheat Growers director Brian Leadley said judges took account of several factors.
“There are a number of tests they do.
“When we grow our wheat there’s a number of criteria in our contracts, such as grain weight, grain size, and if it’s a milling class then protein levels. Judges will take all these factors into consideration.
“The judges will look at the physical appearance of the wheat too. A crop that’s not been harvested when it was ready can lose grain quality and test weights in particular.”
High test weights and grain size were important for wheat that was to be used as stock feed, Leadley said.
“Biscuit wheat wants a low protein because protein is one of the things that make it rise so they’re looking for a variety that’s got a reasonably low protein.
“You want consistency – you don’t want to suddenly get a high protein that puts you out of contract.
“Your premium wheat for milling flour is the opposite. You want reasonably high proteins to allow good-quality flour for bread making.”
Associate sponsors of the 2014 competition included FMG, Canterbury Seed, Champion Flour Mill, Farmers Mill, and Weston Milling.
The winners
- Feed wheat – Rangitata Holdings 1, Clibborn Farms 2, Barnett Partnership 3.
- Feed protein wheat – Barnett Partnership.
- Biscuit wheat – Hurst Partnership 1, Lavington Farm 2, West Farms 3.
- Milling gristing wheat – Crossgates Farm 1, Bradley Fields 2, Redmond Ag Farming 3.
- Premium milling wheat – Redmond Ag Farming 1, Maw KG Farming 2, Fechney Family Trust 3.
