Sydney, Australia

The first commercial venture by the Australian research body, Quality Wheat CRC (QWCRC), has been launched, with the international licensing of the locally developed WheatRite™ technology to C-Qentec Diagnostics Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of the global crop protection and crop production company, Aventis CropScience.

WheatRite is a unique, quick and effective immunoassay tool to evaluate cereal weather damage. It is a test that can be used throughout the grain production and processing chain, by growers, handlers, buyers processors and exporters. WheatRite will be a cheaper and faster alternative to the Falling Number Machine, particularly in non-laboratory situations.

According to Mr Bruce Howie, General Manager of C-Qentec Diagnostics Pty Ltd., WheatRite will be an integral part in the overall goal to achieve best practice throughout the supply chain in the grain industry.

"Consumer’s today demand food products to carry a 100% guarantee of quality, which means that every link in the supply chain is crucial.

"In the bread and noodle industries, wheat quality at harvest time can have a marked influence on processing efficiency and the quality of the finished product. Issues such as poor colour, structure, volume and crumb texture and, in the case of noodles, inferior cooking characteristics, are all features of the finished product which can arise from low quality raw wheat product.

"The testing of the quality of the grain goes right back to the harvesting and delivery point. Assessment of quality characteristics at this early stage can influence growers’ returns and contribute to quality assurance during the production of the end product. WheatRite now offers a quick, inexpensive solution to ensuring the starch quality of grain for both growers and processors."

The Managing Director of QWCRC, Dr Bill Rathmell said the development and commercialisation of WheatRite is an excellent example of the importance of the CRC initiative.

"CRC’s were initiated in a wide range of areas of activity, to help stimulate commercial and technological innovations for different industries. QWCRC’s goal is to achieve this for wheat.

"The initial work on WheatRite was done in CSIRO Plant Industry Division (one of the CRC’s eleven partners) with support from QWCRC. The international licensing of WheatRite is a great achievement, and testament to the commitment of those involved in research in wheat quality.

"We believe C-Qentec will now be able to market WheatRite to both local and international markets They will add particular value to Australian wheat by giving growers and customers assurance as to the quality of their wheat."

WheatRite is a trademark of Quality Wheat CRC Ltd.