The process of exporting product across the Canadian / United States border has changed dramatically in the past few years. There are certain factors now involved in exporting that were not an issue 5 years ago. These are just to mention a few:

1) FDA Bioterrorism Act

2) Increased regulations on carriers by the US Department of Transportation

3) Additional administration to comply with U.S. Customs reporting procedures prior to arrival

4) Increased value of the Canadian Dollar

5) Fewer custom carriers licensed for Canadian import and export to U.S. 
 

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NEW 2008 Oleic sunflower contracts available.  Contact Quarry Grain for more info @ 1-888-274-9243 or email kelly.quarrygrain@mts.net or call our dealer network for more details.

1. Sclerotina

• Allowable limit 0.5 – 1.0%
• Causes stalk and head rot
• Can sometimes be cleaned out only if the sclerotina bodies are larger than the seed. Anything the same size cannot be removed.
  

2. Dark Roast

• Allowable limit 1.0 – 4.0%
• A combination of various insects &/or disease. Also known as immature kernels & head rot seeds. Lygus bug usually causes most damage.
• To test the seeds are deep fried for approx 1 ½ minutes. Any kernels that have dark roast appear as an off-colour (usually dark brown)

3. Insect Damage

• Allowable limit 0.5 – 2.0%
• Usually refers to Sunflower Weevil & Banded Sunflower Moth
• Drills a hole into a seed & causes severe quality damage. May leave an egg & excretement in the shell
  

4. Moisture

• Dry is 10 % or less
• Moisture Shrink taken after 10%
• Drying charges usually taken after 11.5 or +
• If damp for too long kernels may become heated & discolour
  

5. Head Rot

• Allowable limit 1 – 2%
• Is a result of sclerotina disease in the seed
• Hull looks while & kernel may be white or dark in colour with a fungus growth on it
• Results in Terrible Tasting seed
  

6. Cocklebur

• Allowable Limit is 1 per ½ lb sample

VERY LOW TOLERANCE

• A serious weed seed
• Has been known to cause choking & therefore is a high liability to processors
• Is cleaned out by a felt roller
  

7. Scuffing

• Caused by aggressive combining or thrashing at very high moisture levels
• Seed must have a uniform seed coat
• Some varieties are more susceptible to scuffing

8. Soybeans

• Allowable limit 0.1 – 0.3 %
• Happens with poor bin or combine cleanout
• Hard to clean out

VERY LOW TOLERANCE

Whatever state your sunflowers are in, Quarry Grain can help assist you in finding the right market. We have built secure relationships with all of our sunflower processors and can choose the proper end-user for your product. Please feel free to call anytime:
1-888-274-9243

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Soybeans

Non-GMO soybean program.  Submit samples to see if you qualify for premiums.  Pricing will be quoted after sample analysis. 

Marketing Program Overview:

1) Human Consumption / Non-GMO Market:

• Depending on the variety that you grow there may be a premium for your conventional soybeans.
• Searching for a market such as this can some times be discouraging and is not a fast moving market. You may see a premium as low as .20 - .30 CDN or as high as .70 – $1.00.
• Bigger soybeans are wanted for the tofu industry whereas smaller soybeans are desired for the Japanese (natto/sprouting) market. In searching for specialty markets we’ve found size, GMO-testing, protein & passing of a soak test is required for some (if not all) conventional specialty markets.
• Programs for non-GMO / Human Consumption are usually available with specific companies as an IP program. Keep in mind these are contracted based & you will need to market your product with the company that you are contracted with.
• Anything for Human consumption is subject to high scrutiny. Dockage is much higher than a Feed market & careful handling by the producer (such as bean ladder & conveyors) is necessary to maintain the beans integrity.
• When marketing into a Non-GMO premium market you need to make sure that all equipment (combine, trucks, augers etc) is cleaned to make sure there are NO GMO traces available in your product. Sometimes cross-pollination can occur when planning a conventional beside a RR crop. Be careful in choosing where you plant your crop & what your neighbours are planting beside you.
• Each specialty variety has a specific trait that it is trying to impress on the marketplace (small size, large size, high protein, high oil content etc). Know what the bean is intended for before you grow to ensure you will grow a satisfactory product for the end-user, therefore making it easier to market.
• Factors that will determine deductions / rejection for this category is:
  Earth tagging
  Cracks
  Green / immature seeds
  Shriveled seed coat
  Hilum colour (determined by variety)
  Protein
  Test Weight
• Settlements can be based on 20 – 30 days & is usually calculated on net / clean out weight.

2) Feed Market

• A simple market overall.
• The Feed & Crush markets are the only markets you can move your RR soybeans into. However these are very forgiving markets as well as competitive.
• Dockage is minimal & should be no more than 2% for average product.
• Moisture dockage is taken after 13.0 or 13.5. Drying charges are usually applied (depending on the year) after 14.5+
• Test weight can be an issue (56 lbs is minimum guideline) but is usually a minimal deduction.
• We proudly work with a local processing firm Jordan Mills. They prefer certain varieties for their crushing operation.  These are called Processor Preferred varieties.

Quarry Grain is available to answer any questions in regards to marketing your soybeans for either human consumption or the feed market. Please feel free to call anytime:
1-888-274-9243

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Oats

Current Marketing Program - Updated Dec 1/06

Currently buying milling quality oats only (program #2 listed below).   Prices based on-farm pickup and product delivered directly to U.S. processor.

Marketing Program Overview:

Oat Specifications:
Test Weight – 40/lb per bushel
Maximum FM – 3%
Moisture – 13.5%
Maximum Thin Oats – 10%
Maximum Barley, Wheat & Wild Oats – 1%

These are the markets we specialize in supplying to:

1) Horse Race Oats
In order to supply to this market the oats must be a white variety oat with a 1CW quality. This market has a low tolerance to wild oats and must look visibly uniform and bright white.

2) Milling Quality Oats
In order to supply to this market the oats can be a white or tan variety at a 1 or 2 CW quality. This market has a low tolerance for thins (deductions after 10% thins) as meat is required for flattening & processing. Thins provide no use to this market whatsoever.

Submitting samples of your product is the best way to ensure that your grain marketer can do his/her best in promoting your product to market. The best way to save money in this experience is to be all revealing of the nature of the product and therefore the best market can be chose initially. This saves in time and transportation costs which can only benefit the producer in the end.

Quarry Grain is available to answer any questions in regards to marketing your oats. Please feel free to call anytime: 1-888-274-9243

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