Information contained in this section of the webpage is general in nature and for the information of growers and other industry participants interested in an overview of the classification process. In summarising this information it may not adequately address specific technical and procedural issues that are important and relevant for breeding organisations and those with a direct involvement with the Wheat Classification Process. More detailed information is contained in the “AWBI Wheat Classification Guidelines” posted in the secure Crop Shaping section of the website. Where inconsistencies exist between this section and the information contained in the “AWBI Wheat Classification Guidelines” the “AWBI Wheat Classification Guidelines” represent the correct and accurate information.
Information in this part of this website should not be relied on by any party without first reviewing the full version of the “AWBI Wheat Classification Guidelines” (as appropriate) or contacting AWB for more information.
Parties involved in breeding wheat varieties or testing wheat varieties for classification in Australia who do not have access to the Crop Shaping section of the website and would like access should contact the Wheat Product Development Team at AWB on email wpd@awb.com.au. Terms and conditions for access are contained [link].
1. The Objectives of Classification
Wheat classification is the categorisation of a wheat variety into grades based on processing and end product quality. The Classification Process aims to deliver grain of consistent physical quality, processing performance and end-product quality to customers and end-users.
Supplying consistent products that meet or exceed our customer expectations increases the marketability of Australian wheat and helps maximise returns to growers by assisting to maximise revenue derived from the sale of National Pool wheat. Classification is a key tool in AWBI’s “Shaping the Future” strategy allowing AWBI to assess and continually improve the quality of current grades as well as develop new and innovative grades to meet market requirements.
2. The Classification Process
Classification of a new variety of wheat is a complex task involving the evaluation of the quality of a variety, within a defined geographic area (classification zone), over a minimum of 3 years production. Classification decisions are made by the National Pool Classification Panel, an expert industry panel, on the basis of quality data (including grain quality, dough rheology and performance in end products) submitted by the Breeding Program and market information. The data is sourced by testing samples from breeding trials over a minimum of three seasons with the overall quality of the variety being assessed.
A variety of wheat must have a Final Classification to be delivered into an AWB grade other than FEED. The Classification process is transparent and is designed to provide to Breeding Programs if desired. Thus the process can occur over three years with the Breeding Program receiving feedback on the variety at least twice before the Final Classification Grade is decided (as described in part 4 below). This feedback process allows Breeding Programs to better understand the performance of the varieties relative to quality traits required for the target grade and can assist them in their breeding decisions.
3. Classification Zones
Classification Decisions are awarded in specified geographic regions called Classification Zones. It is currently recognized by industry that each Classification Zone (listed below) is likely to exhibit different environments which may impact on the quality of a single variety of wheat. As a result, the Classification of a single variety of wheat may vary between different Classification Zones.
The current Classification Zones are:
- Queensland – defined by the state boundaries of Queensland;
- Northern NSW – defined by the Queensland/NSW boundary and the area north of the Central NSW Zone;
- Central NSW – defined by the region containing the receival sites Albert, Alectown, Bogan Gate,Condobolin, Euabolong West, Gobondery, Gunningbland, Kadungle, Kiacatoo, Mickibri, Ootha, Parkes, Peak Hill, Tomingley, Tottenham, Trundle, Tullamore, Wyanga, Yarrabandi, Yeoval and Yethera;
- Southern NSW – defined by the Victoria/NSW state boundary and the area south of the Central NSW Zone;
- Victoria – defined by the state boundaries of Victoria;
- South Australia – defined by the state boundaries of South Australia; and
- Western Australia – defined by the state boundaries of Western Australia.
A “Primary” Classification Zone is first geographic zone in which a variety has been assessed and a Final Classification has been awarded.
An “Out of Region” Classification Zone is any region other than the “Primary” Classification Zone.
4. Classification Stages
The Classification of a new variety of wheat occurs in two stages:
4.1 Feedback Stage
The Feedback Stage occurs over a minimum period of two years and serves to provide early feedback to the relevant Breeder as to the indicative quality or potential classification of the relevant wheat variety. Two type of comments can be sought; an Indicative comment (minimum 1 seasons data) and/or a Preliminary Classification (minimum two seasons data). Both Indicative Comments and Preliminary Classifications should not be taken as a representation, or any guarantee, of the likely Final Classification of the Candidate Variety and neither constitute a Final Classification. This feedback is provided to enable the Breeding program to make decisions on the progression of lines only.
If no Final Classification has been obtained, and in the event that no Final Classification is awarded, the variety will receive a default Classification of FEED for the purposes of delivery to and payment by AWB. There is no guarantee that the subsequent, if any, Final Classification will be awarded at the same level as the Indicative Comment/Preliminary Classification.
4.2 Classification Decision Stage
The Classification Decision Stage can only commence with the submission of at least three seasons of quality data and usually concludes with a Final Classification being awarded. Whilst a Final Classification is usually made three years after the commencement of the process, the classification panel may require further data to ensure a robust decision, thus the requirements for a final classification are determined by the quality of the data not by time.
(i) Primary Final Classification
The main body of data for a variety is usually developed in one (target) classification region. Thus the first region in which a variety is evaluated and receives a Final Classification is called the Primary Final Classification. Once a Final Classification is awarded to a variety in the primary zone the variety automatically receives a default “Out of Region Classification” for all remaining zones as per the rules below.
Default Out of Region Classifications:
- Primary Classification AWB Prime Hard QLD – Default Classification AWB Hard NNSW, AWB Hard CNSW*, AWB Hard SNSW, AWB Premium White all other Zones;
- Primary Classification AWB Prime Hard NNSW - Default Classification AWB Hard QLD, AWB Hard CNSW*, AWB Hard SNSW, AWB Premium White all other Zones;
- Primary Classification AWB Prime Hard SNSW - Default Classification AWB Hard QLD, AWB Hard NNSW, AWB Hard CNSW*, AWB Premium White all other Zones;
- Primary Classification of AWB Hard in any Zone – Default Classification AWB Premium White in all other Zones;
- Primary Classification of AWB Premium White in any Zone – Default Classification AWB Standard White in all other Zones;
- Primary Classification of AWB Standard White in any Zone – Default Classification AWB General Purpose in all other Zones;
- Primary Classification AWB Soft in any Zone – Default Classification AWB General Purpose in all other Zones;
- Primary Classification AWB Premium Durum in any Zone – Default Classification FEED in all other Zones;
- Primary Classification AWB Noodle in any Zone – Default Classification AWB Standard White in all other Zones;
- Primary Classification of any Grade on the basis of field LMA expression data – Default Classification FEED in all regions;
Note: *CNSW – where the Classifications are the same in NNSW and SNSW it will be the same in CNSW; where the Classifications are different in NNSW and SNSW it will be the lower of the two classifications in CNSW until such time as data is produced for CNSW..
Breeding organizations do have the option of requesting FEED as the default classification for their material.
(ii) Final Out-of-Region Classification
Final Out-of-Region Classification can be awarded to a Candidate Variety where quality data has been provided by the breeder in that region and been assessed by the classification panel.
If the Target Classification sought in the new zone is the same or lower than the grade received in the Primary Classification Zone a minimum of one season quality data is required.
If the Target Classification sought is higher than the Grade received in the Primary Classification Zone a minimum of two seasons of data is required.
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