AWB Limited today announced a range of new measures to assist Western Australian wheat growers deal with high screenings this harvest.

The measures include a utility Noodle wheat segregation and Pool for high screenings Noodle wheat, changes to the screenings payments for the Noodle Varietal Pool and a special high screenings-only segregation.

The Australian Utility Noodle (AUN) Binning line will capture Noodle wheat varieties with screenings up to 15 per cent and protein between 9.5 and 11.5 per cent. Under the Dynamic Binning Strategy grain may be received between 8 to 12 per cent protein if the stack quality can be maintained.

AWB (International) Limited General Manager Peter Geary said the new segregation was estimated to return growers $229.90 per tonne (FOB) at the base rate of 7% screenings and 10.5% protein.

“This equates to a $10 per tonne premium over the ASWN pool between 7 and 10 per cent screenings, and $10 per tonne above the GP1 pool between 10 and 15 per cent screenings,” Mr Geary said.

“Grain with high screenings but within the appropriate Noodle protein window may have some additional value above normal ASW and General Purpose prices for some of our customers.

“By binning high screenings noodle wheat separately we will have the option of marketing this grain as a specialty product or re-grading it by removing the screenings.

“Growers considering carting extra distance to this new segregation should be aware that the premium for this high screenings grain depends on sample testing to determine if in fact it can be used for a noodle type use. However, the AUN pool will return at least the same as ASWN for screenings between 5 and 10 per cent and the same as GP for wheat between 10 and 15 per cent screenings.

To complement the new AUN pool the payment matrix for screenings payments in the Noodle varietal pool has been adjusted at higher screenings levels. This will result in lower payments for growers delivering into the Noodle Pool with screenings above 5%. The AUN pool gives growers a possible alternative to capture more value for this grain.

AWB Limited has also introduced the screenings segregation ASC1 which will pay growers a flat rate of $95 per tonne FOB for wheat with an unlimited screenings content.

Growers who have very high screenings wheat or who have graded grain and are looking for a market for their screenings can deliver to this segregation, which will only be available at a limited number of CBH sites.

The ASC1 Pool will accept grain with a test weight as low as 50 kg/hl and also has relaxed receival standards for weed seeds, fungal staining and some other quality parameters.

“These changes will give growers some additional flexibility in managing their deliveries this harvest, and at the same time provide the National Pool with better quality grain at the receival points for delivery to our international customers,” Mr Geary said.

For more information please contact: Paul Ryan in Public Affairs on 03 9209 2098, or 0408 347 282.