Amendments to Grain Grades and Screenings

Summary#

The federal government issued the Order Amending the Off Grades of Grain and Grades of Screenings Order (Miscellaneous Program) (SOR/2025-153) to fix wording, spelling and classification details and to update some grain moisture categories. The Canadian Grain Commission says these are mainly technical changes to align the order with the Canada Grain Regulations and the Feeds Regulations, 2024. The order is set to take effect on August 1, 2025 (or on the day it’s registered if that happens later).

What it does#

• Changes some English and French wording and spellings to match other federal rules and common usage:
  • Replaces “fababeans” with “faba beans”, “canaryseed” with “canary seed”, and “chick peas” with “chickpeas”.
  • Fixes French names (for example, replacing “roquette d’Orient” with “vélar d’Orient”) and removes one Latin plant name.
  • Replaces references to the Feeds Regulations with Feeds Regulations, 2024 and changes “seeds designated as injurious” to “seeds designated as weed seeds.”
• Adjusts wording in the French text of several subparagraphs to match the English and regulatory intent.
• Updates grain lists and moisture categories in the schedules:
  • Adds entries for Wheat, Canada Prairie Spring Red, Wheat, Canada Prairie Spring White, and Wheat, Canada Northern Hard Red with moisture tolerance ranges 14.6% to 17.0% for “tough” and over 17.0% for “damp.”
  • Adds Wheat, Canada Western Special Purpose with the same moisture ranges.
  • Removes some obsolete items (for example, the old “Prairie Spring Wheat” entry and certain Schedule II items).
  • Edits Schedule III wording for some eastern wheat labels to match the Canada Grain Regulations.
• Repeals or replaces a few specific schedule items and small numbering adjustments so the order lines up with the current Canada Grain Regulations.

Who's affected#

• Grain producers, grain handlers, grain buyers and traders, and companies that trade or ship the affected classes of wheat and pulses (such as faba beans, canary seed, and chickpeas).
• Inspectors and graders working under the Canadian Grain Commission and related agencies such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, because grading labels and terminology are clarified.
• The changes are described as technical and administrative; the government states they do not add new costs or new obligations for businesses, including small businesses.

Why it matters#

• Clearer, consistent terms reduce confusion at elevators, markets and inspection points. That helps ensure everyone is using the same names and moisture bands when grain is graded, bought or shipped.
• The moisture ranges added for certain wheat classes (e.g. 14.6% to 17.0% and over 17.0%) can affect how grain lots are classified for storage, sale and processing.
• Most of the amendments are minor spelling, translation and cross‑reference fixes. If you’re a farmer, grain elevator operator, buyer or inspector, you may notice slightly different grade labels or wording on paperwork.