CGC Sees 66% No 2 Or Better Lentils

WINNIPEG - Nov 2/16 - SNS -- The latest report on grades results from samples submitted to the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) by farmers continues to indicate a higher proportion of this year's lentil crop is grading No 2 Canada or better than expected.

Of 556 lentil samples sent to the CGC by farmers, 28% graded No 1 Canada, 38% No 2 Canada, 24% Extra 3 Canada, and 9% No 3 Canada. The average protein comntent of the crop is 27%, with No 1 Canada samples containing and average 26.6% proteinb, compared to 27% for No 2 Canada, 27.4% for Extra 3 Canada, and 27.3% for No 3 Canada lentils.

Of the 516 samples submitted by farmers in Saskatchewan, the CGC says 26% graded No 1 Canada, 38% No 2 Canada, 26% Extra 3 Canada, and 10% No 3 Canada. By contrast, crop reporters in Saskatchewan thought just 4% of the crop would grade No 1 Canada, 42% No 2, 46% No 3 and Extra 3 Canada, and 11% would end up as sample grade.

The CGC analysis is not based on samples submitted by processors and line elevator companies. It is only based on samples voluntariuly submitted by farmers and combines all classes and colors of lentils. This means that the experience of grain buyers could be vastly different, with a higher proportion of the crop falling into the lower grades. Comments suggest this is more true of green than red lentils.

Only 40 samples were sent to the CGC by farmers in Alberta, with 60% grading No 1 Canada and 40% No 2 Canada. Alberta is believed to account for 13% of this year's lentil crop, but only 7% of the samples sent to the CGC were from that province. Saskatchewan, which will account for 87% of the crop, accounted, for 93% of all samples submitted.