Quality of Canada Western Amber Durum in 2024

This report presents harvest quality data for Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD) wheat grown in 2024. Wheat samples were submitted to the Canadian Grain Commission’s Harvest Sample Program by producers. Quality data is compiled from the results of analytical tests performed in the Grain Research Laboratory.

Canada Western Amber Durum

CWAD is the second largest wheat class grown in western Canada. CWAD is used in a wide variety of products, including long and short dried pasta, fresh pasta, sheeted pasta, couscous and baked bread. CWAD has superior milling quality, producing high semolina yield with low ash content and speck count. It also has the high yellow pigment content necessary to produce end products with a bright yellow colour. The high protein content and strong gluten characteristics of CWAD ensures superior pasta cooking quality and good performance in durum bread.

Summary of CWAD quality in 2024

The quality of CWAD was generally good, with more than 70% of the crop in the top two grades. Test weight was the main downgrading factor due to the dry and hot conditions in major durum growing regions during the grain filling and ripening stages. Mean protein content was 15.3%, slightly higher than in 2023 and significantly higher than the ten-year average of 14.3%. The crop was safe and sound, with more than 99% of CWAD samples having DON levels less than 1.0 ppm and 96% of samples having FN values greater than 350 seconds. Transcend remained the top CWAD variety grown in 2024. New varieties, such as CDC Defy, AAC Stronghold, and AAC Grainland, have increased in acreage in recent years while Transcend acreage is gradually decreasing.

Grade distribution

No. 1 CWAD:
and No. 2 CWAD
72.6%

More information

Protein

Protein content:
15.3%

More information

Deoxynivalenol (DON)

DON < 1.0 ppm:
99.3%

More information

Falling Number (FN)

FN > 350 seconds:
96.2%

More information

Variety

Top varieties:

Transcend
CDC Defy
AAC Stronghold
CDC Precision
AAC Grainland

Data follows — **Figure 1** Top CWAD varieties grown in western Canada from 2020 to 2024

% of total
Variety	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Transcend	39	35	32	29	22
CDC Precision	16	16	16	14	9
Brigade	10	8	8	6	4
AAC Spitfire	9	8	7	5	4
CDC Alloy	4	7	7	6	5
AAC Stronghold	2	7	8	9	11
AAC Grainland	0	1	4	6	7
CDC Defy	0	0	2	8	17

% of samples
Parameter	No. 1	No. 2	No. 3	≤ No. 4
Grade distribution	45.1	27.5	12.2	15.2
Test weight	0	18	8.8	0
Hard vitreous kernels	0	7	1.6	0

Protein
Year	%
2015	14.0
2016	12.7
2017	13.6
2018	14.3
2019	14.0
2020	13.8
2021	15.7
2022	14.6
2023	14.9
2024	15.3

Milling and functional quality

In 2024, CWAD had very high protein levels, very high yellow pigment content and superior pasta processing quality. The hard vitreous kernel (HVK) content was excellent for all grades, including No.1 CWAD at 92%. Test weight and weight per thousand kernels for No.1 CWAD were comparable to 2023. No. 2 CWAD had the same test weight but lower weight per thousand kernels than in 2023 and No. 4 CWAD had both lower test weight and weight per thousand kernels. The 2024 CWAD crop was very sound and all aggregate wheat samples had FN values greater than 400 seconds. Ash content in wheat was higher than in 2023 for all grades.

Total milling yield and semolina yield in the 2024 CWAD aggregates were lower than in 2023 for each grade. This was largely due to the smaller kernels produced under the dry and hot 2024 growing conditions. All semolina samples were very clean with low speck count and large granulation. Semolina ash was slightly higher for all grades compared to last year. Rheological tests demonstrated strong and balanced gluten properties based on gluten index and Alveogram parameters. The pasta produced from semolina milled from all grades of 2024 CWAD had an excellent bright yellow color, high firmness and superior cooking quality.

Harvest quality data for CWAD prairie aggregates ^{Footnote 1}

Prairies aggregate are from all durum producing regions in Saskatchewan and Alberta (regions 12 to 15 on the crop region map).

In 2024, No. 2 CWAD and No. 4 CWAD were downgraded due to test weight. Based on the Official Grain Grading Guide's export grade determination table for CWAD, the minimum test weight for No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 CWAD is 80 kg/hL, 79 kg/hL, 78 kg/hL and 75 kg/hL, respectively.

Alternate version
Harvest quality data for CWAD, prairie aggregates in 2024 (PDF, 456 KB)

Wheat
Quality parameter	2024			2023
Quality parameter	No. 1 CWAD	No. 2 CWAD	No. 4 CWAD	No. 1 CWAD	No. 2 CWAD	No. 3 CWAD
Test weight, kg/hL	81	79	77	81	79	79
Weight per 1000 kernels, g	38.2	33.3	30.9	37.2	36.8	37.4
Vitreous kernels, %	92	82	82	95	86	78
Protein content, %	14.1	15.3	16.8	14.7	14.6	15.0
Ash content, %	1.61	1.70	1.75	1.44	1.51	1.55
Falling Number, seconds	473	434	427	438	428	379
Cadmium content, mg/kg	0.055	0.054	0.060	0.067	0.068	0.063

Milling - Allis-Chalmers Mill
Quality parameter	2024			2023
Quality parameter	No. 1 CWAD	No. 2 CWAD	No. 4 CWAD	No. 1 CWAD	No. 2 CWAD	No. 3 CWAD
Total milling yield, %	72.1	71.3	69.2	73.2	72.4	71.6
Semolina yield, %	64.4	63.2	61.1	65.9	65.5	64.9

Semolina ^{Footnote 2}
Quality parameter	2024			2023
Quality parameter	No. 1 CWAD	No. 2 CWAD	No. 4 CWAD	No. 1 CWAD	No. 2 CWAD	No. 3 CWAD
Protein content, %	13.4	14.2	15.8	14.0	14.0	14.2
Protein loss, %	0.7	1.1	1.0	0.7	0.6	0.8
Wet gluten content, %	33.9	35.0	37.9	34.7	33.5	34.5
Gluten index, %	84	88	88	80	79	72
Ash content, %	0.77	0.81	0.85	0.72	0.75	0.77
Yellow pigment content, ppm	11.2	11.5	11.7	10.8	11.0	11.4
Yellowness, b*	33.6	32.8	32.7	33.2	33.0	32.5

Granulation
Quality parameter	2024			2023
Quality parameter	No. 1 CWAD	No. 2 CWAD	No. 4 CWAD	No. 1 CWAD	No. 2 CWAD	No. 3 CWAD
> 425 µm, %	9.7	9.3	8.9	8.1	8.6	8.6
> 250 µm, %	58.4	56.6	55.0	60.0	60.1	58.5
> 180 µm, %	18.9	19.2	19.4	18.5	17.5	17.7
> 150 µm, %	5.5	5.8	6.2	6.2	6.1	6.3
< 150 µm, %	7.6	9.1	10.6	7.2	7.6	9.0

Semolina speck count per 50 cm ²
Quality parameter	2024			2023
Quality parameter	No. 1 CWAD	No. 2 CWAD	No. 4 CWAD	No. 1 CWAD	No. 2 CWAD	No. 3 CWAD
Total specks	9	9	4	8	11	14
Dark specks	1	2	0	1	3	2
Large specks (≥ 0.06 mm ²)	4	4	2	3	5	7

Alveogram ^{Footnote 3}
Quality parameter	2024			2023
Quality parameter	No. 1 CWAD	No. 2 CWAD	No. 4 CWAD	No. 1 CWAD	No. 2 CWAD	No. 3 CWAD
P (maximum over pressure), mm H₂O	93	94	105	94	96	98
L (length), mm	96	96	103	87	83	82
P/L	0.97	0.98	1.02	1.08	1.16	1.20
W (deformation energy), 10 ^-4 joules	269	276	335	245	243	242
le (elasticity Index), %	51.3	52.4	55.4	48.3	47.9	47.1

Spaghetti colour dried at 85°C
Quality parameter	2024			2023
Quality parameter	No. 1 CWAD	No. 2 CWAD	No. 4 CWAD	No. 1 CWAD	No. 2 CWAD	No. 3 CWAD
Brightness, L*	71.3	70.1	69.8	71.1	70.4	69.8
Redness, a*	6.8	7.7	8.1	7.2	7.8	8.5
Yellowness, b*	65.8	65.4	65.3	64.0	64.0	63.7

Spaghetti texture dried at 85°C
Quality parameter	2024			2023
Quality parameter	No. 1 CWAD	No. 2 CWAD	No. 4 CWAD	No. 1 CWAD	No. 2 CWAD	No. 3 CWAD
Peak cutting force, g	601	641	757	697	680	676
Dry strand diameter, mm	1.71	1.71	1.72	1.71	1.71	1.71
Cooked strand diameter, mm	2.52	2.52	2.52	2.53	2.53	2.53

Protein data by grade and by province

% of samples
Protein range, %	2022	2023	2024
< 12.0%	9.8	8.2	10.6
12.0-12.9%	15.4	5.6	11.4
13.0-13.9%	18.4	14.5	14.4
14.0-14.9%	21.2	21.1	14.1
> 15.0%	35.2	50.6	49.4

Protein content (%) ^{Footnote 4}, No. 1 CWAD as of December 2, 2024
Province	Number of samples	Mean	SD
Manitoba	NS ^{Footnote *}	NS	NS
Saskatchewan	324	14.1	1.8
Alberta and B.C.	75	14.7	1.3
Western Canada	400	14.2	1.8

Protein content (%) ^{Footnote 4}, No. 2 CWAD as of December 2, 2024
Province	Number of samples	Mean	SD
Manitoba	NS	NS	NS
Saskatchewan	198	15.2	2.3
Alberta and B.C.	47	15.0	1.9
Western Canada	247	15.2	2.2

Protein content (%) ^{Footnote 4}, No. 3 CWAD as of December 2, 2024
Province	Number of samples	Mean	SD
Manitoba	NS	NS	NS
Saskatchewan	77	16.3	2.5
Alberta and B.C.	34	16.3	1.9
Western Canada	112	16.3	2.3

Protein content (%) ^{Footnote 4}, No. 4 CWAD as of December 2, 2024
Province	Number of samples	Mean	SD
Manitoba	NS	NS	NS
Saskatchewan	NS	NS	NS
Alberta and B.C.	NS	NS	NS
Western Canada	23	14.9	3.1

Protein content (%) ^{Footnote 4}, No. 5 CWAD as of December 2, 2024
Province	Number of samples	Mean	SD
Manitoba	NS	NS	NS
Saskatchewan	107	18.3	1.9
Alberta and B.C.	NS	NS	NS
Western Canada	113	18.2	1.9

Protein content (%) ^{Footnote 4}, all grades, CWAD as of December 2, 2024
Province	Number of samples	Mean	SD
Manitoba	NS	NS	NS
Saskatchewan	726	15.3	2.5
Alberta and B.C.	165	15.2	1.8
Western Canada	895	15.3	2.4

Protein data by grade and by crop region

Four crop regions in western Canada were designated for Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD) based on similarity of environmental characteristics within each region. Consideration was given to directional movement, political boundaries and production (seeded area) in choosing these regions. In addition, areas with a low level of production were grouped with larger production areas to ensure sufficient sample volume for analysis.

Description to follow — Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD) crop regions

Protein content (%) ^{Footnote 4}, No. 1 CWAD as of December 2, 2024
Region	Number of samples	Mean	Standard deviation
11	NS ^{Footnote *}	NS	NS
12	108	14.3	1.8
13	192	14.1	1.9
14	24	13.3	1.6
15	75	14.7	1.3

Protein content (%) ^{Footnote 4}, No. 2 CWAD as of December 2, 2024
Region	Number of samples	Mean	Standard deviation
11	NS	NS	NS
12	96	14.7	2.2
13	77	15.9	2.3
14	25	14.8	2.1
15	47	15	1.9

Protein content (%) ^{Footnote 4}, No. 3 CWAD as of December 2, 2024
Region	Number of samples	Mean	Standard deviation
11	NS	NS	NS
12	47	15.9	2.6
13	24	17.4	1.8
14	NS	NS	NS
15	34	16.3	1.9

Grading factor data

Producer samples submitted to the Harvest Sample Program are graded based on the Official Grain Grading Guide. The data below summarizes the occurrence and frequency of wheat grading factors. Downgrading can be due to 1 or more grading factors present in the same sample.

Grading factors present (%) in Canada Western Amber Durum wheat from all provinces as of December 2, 2024

Samples	No. 1 CWAD	No. 2 CWAD	No. 3 CWAD	No. 4 CWAD	No. 5 CWAD
Number of samples	400	247	112	23	113
% of total	44.7	27.6	12.5	2.6	12.6

Grading factor	No. 2 CWAD	No. 3 CWAD	No. 4 CWAD	No. 5 CWAD
Broken (BKN)	0.8	3.6	0.0	0.9
Ergot (ERG)	0.0	1.8	0.0	0.9
Fusarium damage (FUS DMG)	0.0	1.8	0.0	0.0
Grass green kernels (GRASS GR)	0.4	0.0	0.0	0.0
Hard vitreous kernels (HVK)	25.5	14.3	43.5	0.0
Midge damage (MDGE)	12.6	0.9	0.0	0.9
Mildew (MIL)	4.0	1.8	4.3	0.9
Matter other than cereal grains (MOTCG)	0.4	0.9	0.0	0.9
Non-registered variety (NON REGV)	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.9
Severe midge damage (SEVMDGE)	7.3	3.6	0.0	0.0
Severely sprouted kernels (SEVSPTD)	3.6	6.3	8.7	0.0
Shrunken kernels (SHR)	0.4	0.0	0.0	94.7
Sprouted kernels (SPTD)	0.0	0.0	4.3	0.0
Total foreign material (TFM)	1.2	0.0	0.0	0.9
Total Shrunken and Broken (TSHRBKN)	0.0	0.0	0.0	7.1
Total sprouted (TSPTD)	2.4	1.8	4.3	0.9
Test weight (TWT)	64.4	71.4	30.4	3.5
Wheat of other classes (WOOC)	7.3	3.6	26.1	0.0

Deoxynivalenol (DON) data

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin that can be found in grain infected with Fusarium head blight. DON is not an official grading factor listed in the Canada Grain Regulations or the Official Grain Grading Guide. Instead, the Canadian Grain Commission uses the visual assessment of Fusarium damaged kernels as a proxy for DON.

Even if DON isn’t an official grading factor, it may be included as a contract specification in grain transactions. The Canadian Grain Commission provides DON results to producers who participate in the Harvest Sample Program.

Distribution of deoxynivalenol values for CWAD as of December 2, 2024
DON (ppm)	%
< 0.3	92.4
0.3 to 1.0	6.9
> 1.0	0.22

Deoxynivalenol (DON) values ( ppm) in Canada Western Amber Durum wheat as of December 2, 2024
DON ( ppm)	Number of samples	% of total
Below limit (< 0.3 ppm)	829	92.42
0.3 to 1.0	62	6.91
1.1 to 2.0	4	0.45
2.1 to 3.0	1	0.11
3.1 to 4.0	0	0
4.1 to 5.0	0	0
5.1 to 6.0	0	0
Above limit (> 6.0 ppm)	1	0.11
Total samples	897	100

Falling Number (FN) data

Falling Number (FN) results are an indicator of sprout damage in wheat. FN is not an official grading factor listed in the Canada Grain Regulations or the Official Grain Grading Guide. Instead, the Canadian Grain Commission uses the visual assessment of sprouted and severely sprouted kernels as a proxy for FN.

Even if FN isn’t an official grading factor, it may be included as a contract specification in grain transactions. The Canadian Grain Commission provides FN results to producers who participate in the Harvest Sample Program.

Distribution of Falling Number values for CWAD as of December 2, 2024
Falling Number	% of samples
> 351	95.9
301 to 350	2.1
251 to 300	0.7
< 250	1.3

Falling Number values (seconds) in Canada Western Amber Durum wheat as of December 2, 2024
Falling Number (seconds)	Number of samples	% of total
> 450	535	59.58
401 to 450	262	29.18
351 to 400	64	7.13
301 to 350	19	2.12
251 to 300	6	0.67
201 to 250	5	0.56
151 to 200	1	0.11
101 to 150	3	0.33
61 to 100	3	0.33
60	0	0
Total samples	898	100

Footnotes

Footnote 1

Data are reported on a 13.5% moisture basis for wheat and a 14.0% moisture basis for semolina, except Alveogram results which are reported on a 15% moisture basis.

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

Semolina analysis is conducted using granular products with a constant extraction rate of 70%

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

Alveogram results from the Chopin Alveolab

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 4

Protein content is determined using near-infrared spectroscopy calibrated against the Combustion Nitrogen Analysis reference method and is expressed as Nitrogen x 5.7, on a 13.5% moisture basis.

Return to footnote 4 referrer

Footnote *

NS = Not sufficient. Insufficient number of samples to generate a representative value.

Return to footnote * referrer

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2026-10-13

Quality of Canada Western Amber Durum in 2024

Canada Western Amber Durum

Summary of CWAD quality in 2024

Grade distribution

Protein

Deoxynivalenol (DON)

Falling Number (FN)

Variety

Milling and functional quality

Harvest quality data for CWAD prairie aggregates ^{Footnote 1}

Protein data by grade and by province

Protein data by grade and by crop region

Grading factor data

Grading factors present (%) in Canada Western Amber Durum wheat from all provinces as of December 2, 2024

Deoxynivalenol (DON) data

Falling Number (FN) data

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Quality of Canada Western Amber Durum in 2024

Canada Western Amber Durum

Summary of CWAD quality in 2024

Grade distribution

Protein

Deoxynivalenol (DON)

Falling Number (FN)

Variety

Milling and functional quality

Harvest quality data for CWAD prairie aggregates Footnote 1

Protein data by grade and by province

Protein data by grade and by crop region

Grading factor data

Grading factors present (%) in Canada Western Amber Durum wheat from all provinces as of December 2, 2024

Deoxynivalenol (DON) data

Falling Number (FN) data

Page details

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Harvest quality data for CWAD prairie aggregates ^{Footnote 1}