Background:
The past several years, there has been several reported situations where origin falling numbers have not been repeated at destination within the tolerance allowed by the FGIS limits.
The likelihood is not all official agencies (and unofficial agencies) do not necessarily run the falling numbers the same way.
I understand the standard for export results for falling numbers is done on a 14% moisture basis, as well as the “two tube” method and average the results.
I also understand the standard for domestic results is “mixed and matched” on whether or not the moisture basis is done at 14% or actual moisture, as well as just running the “one tube” method. This significantly skews the results of origin to destination.
Recommendation(s):
- Align all official agencies to, at a minimum, run all tests at 14% moisture basis and where possible, run the “two tube” method. If testing is not run using these two requests, make it clear to the destination how the test was actually performed.
- Look into a second way of officially performing falling number testing.
Impact:
This would give exporters more accurate information in order to meet contract specifications to help facilitate the loading of wheat in export regions.