Allowances abound, rejections few
Allowances abound, rejections few
DESPITE doubtful harvest quality, most wheat is getting tipped first time, albeit on allowances.
But to avoid costly rejections growers must work to realistic quality specifications when selling, the trade advises.
"I do not think rejections are up, but we are agreeing a lot of allowances, probably on over 30% of loads," says Glencore Grains Robert Kerr. Greater flexibility in mill buying terms means a wider range of quality specifications are available for growers than in the past, he says. "Four years ago a Hagberg of 140 or 120 was a rejection. Now we have homes for such wheat; I have got bids for Hereward on 250, 180, 150 and 120 Hagberg."
But to take advantage of such homes, growers should sell on the most realistic sample results, and try to get a safety net down to the lowest readings, he stresses. "It is the rejection that really costs – £250, even £500 a load. It costs everyone money. The grower, the mill and the merchant."
Cargills Andrew Bury reckons only 15-20% of the wheat they are handling is subject to some form of allowance, and rejections are well below 5%. "But one rejection in 1000t is a problem."
Soufflets James Marshall advises growers to beware of going for the highest headline price and look at what is behind it. *