The North Dakota Grain Growers Association reported on Oct. 2 that the prolonged and rain-affected wheat harvest season in many areas has created several challenges, including slow harvesting, high moisture content, reduced color quality, and a larger portion of the crop showing low falling numbers.
These conditions have led to marketing uncertainty for both producers and end-users, requiring additional quality testing. The association explained that falling numbers are an indication of alpha-amylase enzyme activity in grain or flour. While this enzyme is essential for seed germination by breaking down starch into sugars needed for growth, excessive activity can harm flour used in baking or semolina for pasta. “Flour made from grain with low FN has reduced water absorption and mixing strength, and it produces a sticky dough. Bread made from flour with low FN can result in lower loaf volume, poor crust strength and crumb texture, and create loaves that may collapse,” the statement said.
The report noted that contract specifications often require a minimum falling number of 300 seconds domestically and internationally. The value reflects how long it takes a plunger to drop through gelatinized ground wheat; higher values indicate less enzyme activity. Blending low and high falling number wheat is not straightforward due to an exponential relationship rather than linear as with protein levels. This makes segregation important to protect higher market value wheat.
Market options for low falling number wheat are limited compared to traditional markets seeking high-protein hard red spring wheat or durum varieties typically grown in the region. “While some minor adjustments in contract specifications for FN may happen with a few customers… historically it has not happened on a large scale,” the association said.
Managing these impacts will require careful testing protocols, proper equipment calibration, cleaning procedures between samples, and implementation of recent federal directives on testing methods according to guidance provided by the North Dakota Wheat Commission website.
The North Dakota Grain Growers Association operates statewide while engaging at the federal level; it promotes economic vitality through advocacy efforts such as influencing state policy decisions affecting farmers’ profitability according to the official website.
