SOUTH Australian graingrowers will lose out if Grain Trade Australia's push to raise minimum test weights for milling grade wheat from 74 kilograms a hectolitre to 76kg/hl goes ahead, according to GrainGrowers Limited's South Australian policy board members Matthew Williams and Michael Hunt.
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The rise is proposed to take effect for the upcoming harvest.
Mr Williams, Koolunga, said he strongly opposed the move.
"There's no value in this for farmers, there's no monetary gain in doing it," he said.
"It will be farmers who will miss out in all this. They will lose money by being downgraded.
"GGL has done evidence-based work that shows a certain percentage of farmers will miss out through this decision."
Mr Williams said raising the test weight would not have any significant effect on the image of Australian wheat overseas.
"There's no grain out-turned out of Australia that doesn't meet specifications," he said.
"GGL has done evidence-based work showing there's no issue with it, and that bulk handlers have no issue with meeting contract specifications."
He said there was no monetary or marketing advantage in increasing test weights.
"Farmers are always trying to get the most for their grain, and when you take a hit in the hip pocket by being downgraded, it makes it very hard," he said.
Mr Hunt, Mundulla, said he could not see a valid reason to raising the wheat test weight.
"I'm disappointed that Grain Trade Australia thinks this is good idea," he said.
