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Wheat protein

11.8% (APW)

The protein percentage of delivered wheat, measured on a 12% moisture basis, plotted across the grade bands. Protein — together with test weight and screenings — decides which grade a load receives and therefore the price it earns.

Worked example · Protein % distribution · delivered loads
avg 11.8% 9 10 11 12 13 14
Protein % distribution · delivered loads
The benchmark

Australian milling grades hinge on protein — ASW/APW typically require a minimum around 10.5%, and hard grades (H2/AH) around 13%, with premiums and discounts of tens of dollars a tonne between bands.

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What it signals

Protein sits in constant tension with yield: chase big yields and protein dilutes, chase protein and you can leave yield behind. Watching the spread of loads against the band edges shows how many tonnes fell just short of a premium and could be recovered with better-timed nitrogen.

Data required to calculate
Protein by delivery load%Tonnes per loadt

Silo pulls each of these from the sources the operation already uses, and keeps the figure current automatically.

How to improve it
01

Time a late nitrogen application to lift grain protein into the premium band.

02

Segregate and blend loads on farm to optimise the grade of each parcel.

03

Match variety protein potential to the target market and paddock nitrogen.

Questions & answers

What is wheat protein?

The protein percentage of delivered wheat, measured on a 12% moisture basis, plotted across the grade bands. Protein — together with test weight and screenings — decides which grade a load receives and therefore the price it earns.

What data do you need to calculate wheat protein?

You need: Protein by delivery load (%), Tonnes per load (t). Silo pulls each of these from the sources the operation already uses and keeps the figure current automatically.

What is a good wheat protein benchmark?

Australian milling grades hinge on protein — ASW/APW typically require a minimum around 10.5%, and hard grades (H2/AH) around 13%, with premiums and discounts of tens of dollars a tonne between bands.

How do you improve wheat protein?

Time a late nitrogen application to lift grain protein into the premium band. Segregate and blend loads on farm to optimise the grade of each parcel. Match variety protein potential to the target market and paddock nitrogen.

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