Grains

WHAT ARE GRAINS?

Grains are the seed heads of grass plants. Over time, certain species of grasses were found to produce seeds that people preferred over others. Major grain categories in the world are wheat, rice, corn, barley, oats, and rye. All of these, except rice are grown in large quantities in Canada. A kernel of wheat is composed of 3 main parts: 83% of the kernel is the starchy interior called the endosperm; 14.5% of the kernel is the protective seed coat called bran; and 2.5% of the kernel is the part of the seed that will germinate a new plant called the embryo.

WHERE ARE GRAINS PRODUCED IN BC?

85 to 90% of the grain crops grown in BC are grown in the Peace River region. Special varieties have been adapted for the soil and temperature conditions there. There is also some production in the North Okanagan, around Vanderhoof, around Creston, and in the Lower Mainland.

HOW MANY GRAINS DO WE PRODUCE?

Barley, oats and wheat are the most common grain crops in BC. Oats and barley are used mainly as animal feed. BC produces about 108,000 tonnes of barley. Wheat is used both for human consumption and livestock feed. BC produces about 110,000 tonnes of wheat. This is about 0.4% of the wheat grown in Canada. Smaller amounts of rye are also grown. Dry field peas, one of the pulse crops, is a new emerging crop which is used for both human and animal consumption.

HOW ARE GRAINS PRODUCED?

Through plant breeding, scientists develop new varieties which are higher yielding and have more disease resistance. Farmers who specialize in seed production multiply seed of these varieties for commercial farmers to plant. Farmers prepare the fields for planting. Most farmers plant in the spring and harvest in August and September. Some farmers, about 5%, plant winter wheat in September or October. Winter wheat is harvested in late July and early August.

Before planting a crop, farmers prepare their fields for seeding. This may entail cultivating the soil, usually applying fertilizers and then seeding the crop using a seed drill. If required, herbicides for weed control are used.

When the crop ripens, it is harvested. Wheat, for example, is ready to be harvested when it is about 1m high and the colour changes from green to golden. A head of wheat contains 30 to 65 kernels of grain. A combine is used to separate the seeds from the chaff and straw. Harvested grain is stored in granaries and may require drying or cooling to do so safely. It is important to maintain specific moisture levels and temperatures in grain to ensure that it does not become mouldy.

WHAT DOES GRAIN LOOK LIKE WHEN I USE IT?

Ground grain is called flour. The most common type of flour in Canada is wheat flour. This is used to make bread, pizza dough, and pastries. A special kind of hard wheat, called durum wheat, is used to make pasta. We also eat whole grains when we eat porridge, such as oatmeal. High quality barley is malted (sprouted and dried) and used to make beer. Dried field peas are used in such dishes as pea soup.

Grains are also used for animal feed. There are feed mills throughout BC that make livestock feed. Dried peas are used either alone or with canola meal as a protein supplement.

Grains are a good source of carbohydrates and protein for us and for other animals. In wheat, the endosperm contains starch, the bran contain minerals and vitamins, and the embryo contains protein, fat and vitamins.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE GRAINS LEAVE THE FARM?

From the farm, most of the grain is taken to grain elevators where it is graded and sold. Wheat is graded based on the type of wheat, moisture content, foreign materials, disease or weather damage. Wheat and barley are exported by the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and food grains may be marketed solely by the CWB. Feed growers have a number of different marketing channels.

Most of the wheat eaten by people is milled, which means it is ground into flour. The process of milling involves cleaning the wheat and removing all foreign materials. The wheat is then conditioned by adding moisture so that the bran can be removed easily. Finally, the grain is milled by passing it through large rollers to grind the wheat. For white flour the bran is sifted out. Because the bran contains many nutrients, when it is removed flour loses much of its nutritive value. In Canada, the enrichment of white flour by replacing these nutrients has been required by law since 1953. In the last few years, an increasing amount of wheat is milled into whole wheat flour rather than white.

Barley and oats are usually processed into animal feed. A small amount of barley is malted for use in beer making.

WHAT CHALLENGES DOES THE GRAIN PRODUCER FACE?

Taking care of the soil is very important for crop growers. Special seeding methods can help prevent erosion of top soil from wind and water. Traditionally, the stubble from the previous year's crop was destroyed and the field was cultivated until a smooth seed bed was prepared. To prevent erosion of topsoil, however, farmers are using different methods. Some farmers turn the stubble from the previous year back into the ground. The roots help hold the top soil in place. Wheat roots can penetrate the soil to a depth of 1m. Other farmers use a special seeding technique called minimum or no-till and plant this year's crop into the stubble of last year's crop. This is done by a machine which cuts a slice in the ground, drops in a seed, and covers the seed. This also saves energy and labour because it reduces the number of times that the farmer has to work the field.

WHO'S INVOLVED IN PRODUCING GRAIN?

• Grain growers
• Seed growers
• Dock workers
• Feedmill workers
• Grain inspectors
• Agronomists
• Brewers
• Pesticide dealers
• Fertilizer dealers
• Flour mill workers
• Bakery employees
• Ship crew members
• Elevator operators
• Animal nutritionists at feedmills
• Truckers, railway workers
• Farm implement dealers and mechanics
• Airplane pilots for aerial spraying

Interesting Fact About Grain:

Grain crops are also known as cereal crops. This comes from the Greek goddess of farming, Ceres. The use of wheat dates back 75,000 years.

Contacts and other resources:

 

BC Grain Producers' Association

BCMAL - Grain and Oilseed Information

Canada Grain Commission

Canadian Wheat Board

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