The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and Grain Trade Australia (GTA) announced yesterday the creation of Wheat Quality Australia (WQA) Ltd. to manage wheat variety classification and related activities as of January 1.

Wheat classification is the categorization of a wheat variety into grades based on processing and end product quality. The classification process delivers grain of consistent physical quality, processing performance and end-product quality to customers and end-users.

GRDC Chairman Keith Perrett said wheat classification has been a defining feature in marketing Australian wheat to domestic and global customers.

"Differentiating the quality of Australian wheat is critical to ensure Australia remains a world leader in the quality of its wheat varieties," Perrett said.

"Originally wheat variety classification and related activities were funded and administered by AWB International, but recently these activities have been funded by GRDC as an interim measure at the request of the Australian Government and grain growers following deregulation of bulk wheat exports.

"The interim measure was in place to provide time for an extensive industry consultation process to determine an appropriate model for wheat variety classification, to ensure the needs of industry were met and to enable the development of a more permanent solution for provision of wheat classification," he said.