Frost damage is the major degrading factor found in this year's wheat crop. Late seeding in many parts of the prairies resulted in wheat fields which were not fully matured when frost conditions arrived.
Immature wheat is susceptible to frost, which kills the plant and damages the kernels.
Besides the frost damaged kernels there are also increased rates of immature kernels in harvested crops. Frost damage can range from moderate to severe. The worse it gets, the greater the deterioration in milling and product quality. The frost damage is widespread through the wheat growing areas. It also varies in its degree of severity.