ADM Offers Flour Performance Support in Uncertain Harvest Times

The assessment, carried out by a team of expert bakers and wheat scientists at ADM Milling’s technical centre in Bristol, reduces variability and inconsistency in wheat flour performance by determining the processing adjustments that need to be made to accommodate the new harvest.

12 Sep 2012 --- ADM Milling is seeing heightened interest in its annual harvest assessment, as customers concerned by the uncertainty of this year’s crop seek advice from the UK’s largest independent flour miller.

The assessment, carried out by a team of expert bakers and wheat scientists at ADM Milling’s technical centre in Bristol, reduces variability and inconsistency in wheat flour performance by determining the processing adjustments that need to be made to accommodate the new harvest. A detailed scientific analysis of the crop and resulting flour helps identify differences in performance compared to previous years. The ADM assessment culminates in the “Big Bake,” which sees the flour tested in a genuine manufacturing setting for a range of different products.

“We often see variations in the milling and baking quality of wheat, but this year’s harvest has been more difficult to predict than usual, and there are concerns that this will impact on the products that consumers see on shelves,” explains Ian Robinson, technical director, ADM Milling UK. “The UK crop is showing great amounts of variability, and it is our job to minimise the effects that this has on our customers’ flour supplies.”

“Our harvest assessment helps manufacturers produce consistently high quality goods year-over-year. We use the rich information gathered in our technical centre to develop solutions, both milling- and gristing-based, to reduce any difference in flour performance and give customers a smooth transition to new flour at harvest time. Our customers also benefit from ADM Milling being part a global network of grain trading and transportation, allowing us to source information and wheat from different parts of the world.”

The “Big Bake” is one of a range of assessments carried out by ADM Milling at harvest time and throughout the year.