ENORMOUS SA pulse industry gains made during the past two decades could be lost because of receival changes, according to Australian Milling Group chief executive officer Peter Wilson.
For the 2014-15 season, Viterra will only receive two faba bean grades - FIE1V, which covers beans that meet the Pulse Australia minimum standard for grade 2 and higher, and FIEF stock feed grade.
The industry fears that market premiums may disappear if quality standards cannot be met.
Mr Wilson, who has more than 20 years of grain marketing experience, labelled the changes to "a big step backwards".
"If you delivered Desi chickpeas 20 years ago to four different sites, there would be four different quality standards," he said.
"But industry has moved a long way since that time and managed to greatly improve the quality standards.
Mr Wilson did not believe the change would benefit growers in the long term.
"On the surface, farmers might see this as a good thing, as it means that they can get a lower grade delivered to the segregation," he said.
"The problem is that over time the international buyer will look at this and say 'well we can only expect this minimum standard, so my bid to an Australian trader is going to be lower'.
"Plant breeders have been working over time to give us top-quality genetics, and Pulse Australia has been working with farmers to build husbandry practices that allow them achieve quality outcomes and give the best market potential."
Viterra group commercial manager Andrew Hannon said the company was simply catering to what croppers wanted.
"Our focus is on meeting the needs of our growers and export customers and providing the services they require," he said.
"In response to feedback from growers we engaged in industry consultation, in May 2014, regarding the faba bean segregations to be offered by Viterra this harvest."
* Full report in Stock Journal, October 30, 2014 issue.
Paula Thompson
Stock Journal's markets editor.
Stock Journal's markets editor.
